PEMSEA Meeting Report 11

PROCEEDINGS OF

THE FIFTH EAST ASIAN SEAS

PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MEETING

UNOPSU ND P

Manila, Philippines

9–11 July 2013

PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH EAST ASIAN SEAS PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL

MEETING

Diamond Hotel Manila, Philippines

9 –11 July 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Executive Summary i A. Introduction 1 B. Opening Ceremony 1 Council Session 1.0 Organizational Matters 4 2.0 Adoption of Agenda 4 3.0 Summary of Recommendations and Decisions of the 4

Special EAS Partnership Council and 11th and 12th Executive Committee Meetings and Status of Actions Taken

4.0 Report of the Council Chair 6 5.0 Report of the Acting Executive Director 6 6.0 Election of Partnership Council Officers and Co-Chairs 8 7.0 Draft Guidelines for PEMSEA Senior Advisers on 8

Coastal and Ocean Governance Technical Session 8.0 Progress toward PEMSEA’s 2015 Targets 10 9.0 Updating the SDS-SEA, Strategic Targets and SDS-SEA 12 Implementation (2016–2020) 10.0 Collaborative Planning in Line with the Implementation of the Five-Year 14 Regional SDS-SEA Implementation Plan 11.0 East Asian Seas Congress 2015 25 Intergovernmental Session 12.0 Transforming PEMSEA into a Sustainable Operating Mechanism 28 13.0 Fifth Ministerial Forum 35

14.0 Annual Work Plan and Budget 35 15.0 Decisions of the Intergovernmental Session 36 16.0 Closing Ceremony 36 Annex 1 List of Participants 38

Annex 2 Full Text of Speeches-Opening Ceremony 46

Annex 3 List of Documents 52

Annex 4 Fifth EAS Partnership Council Meeting Agenda 56

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Fifth East Asian Seas (EAS) Partnership Council Meeting was held at the Diamond Hotel, Manila, Philippines, on 9–11 July 2013. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines hosted the Meeting. The Meeting was attended by representatives from 9 Country Partners, 12 Non-Country Partners, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and observers from Thailand, IPIECA and University of Queensland. The Council focused on the following major issues: (a) transformation of PEMSEA; (b) collaborative planning among Country and Non-Country Partners and other organizations for SDS-SEA implementation; (c) updating of the SDS-SEA and its strategic targets and implementation plan; and (d) EAS Congress and Ministerial Forum 2015. Overall, the Council emphasized the need for strengthened engagement and ownership by both Country and Non-Country Partners to ensure the success of transforming PEMSEA into a self-sustaining regional organization for SDS-SEA implementation. In particular, the Council conducted the following business:

• Election of the new Chairs and Co-Chairs of the EAS Partnership Council, specifically:

o Ambassador Mary Seet-Cheng, Council Chair; DENR Undersecretary Analiza

Rebuelta-Teh, Intergovernmental Session Chair; and Prof. Chul-Hwan Koh, Technical Session Chair;

o Dr. Antonio La Viña, Council Co-Chair; Dr. Zhang Zhanhai, Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair; and Mr. Makoto Harunari, Technical Session Co-Chair.

• Recognition of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-

MSI) as PEMSEA Regional Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Research and Marine Protected Areas; and

• Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PEMSEA and UP-MSI.

The Council also made the following decisions:

• Review and refine the draft GEF/UNDP Project Document to include activities

leading to the following outcomes:

o Implementation and mainstreaming of national ocean policy into medium-term development and investment plans;

o Increasing collaborative activities and coordination among Country and Non-Country Partners, regional/global organizations and other stakeholders in scaling up SDS-SEA/ICM programs;

o Review and refinement of reporting mechanisms, including indicators for measuring ICM implementation and effectiveness; and

o An updated regional SDS-SEA strategy, along with post-2015 SDS-SEA targets.

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• Strengthen collaborative planning among Country and Non-Country Partners and other stakeholders at the global, regional and national levels, and to adopt it as a regular activity in the Technical Session of the Council;

• Identify the schedule and venue for the EAS Congress 2015 in collaboration with

the Government of Vietnam, the host country, before the end of 2013; • Pursue the completion of the ratification process of the Headquarters Agreement

with the Government of the Philippines, with the completion of the process targeted by the end of the first quarter of 2014;

• Proceed with the interview and selection process for the PRF Executive Director

post, with recommendations from the Selection Panel to be submitted to the Executive Committee in October 2013;

• The Country Partners to conduct further in-country consultations and confirm

voluntary support to the PRF Core Group in time for the submission of the Project Document to the GEF;

• Request UNDP Manila to assist in facilitating the approval of PEMSEA’s

Implementing Partner status;

• The PRF to complete all requirements and submit the GEF/UNDP Project Document for PEMSEA’s next phase, in close collaboration with Country Partners; and

• Adopt the following documents in principle: (a) Establishment of PEMSEA Expert

Advisory Group; (b) Guidelines/Principles on Provision of PEMSEA Services Outside of the EAS Region; and (c) Concept Paper on PEMSEA Country Centers.

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PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIFTH EAST ASIAN SEAS PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MEETING

Manila, Philippines, 9–11 July 2013

A. INTRODUCTION i. The Fifth East Asian Seas (EAS) Partnership Council Meeting was held at the

Diamond Hotel, Manila, Philippines, from 9–11 July 2013. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines hosted the Meeting.

ii. The Meeting was attended by representatives from nine PEMSEA Country

Partners, namely Cambodia, PR China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore and Vietnam. A representative from Thailand was present as an observer. Representatives from 12 Non-Country Partners were in attendance, namely the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB); Coastal Management Center (CMC); Conservation International (CI) Philippines; International Ocean Institute (IOI); International Union for Conservation of Nature-Asia Regional Office (IUCN-ARO); Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM); Korea Maritime Institute (KMI); Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP); Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF); Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL); PEMSEA Network of Local Governments for Sustainable Coastal Development (PNLG) and UNEP Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (UNEP/GPA).

iii. Representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Manila and the UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok were present on behalf of the Implementing Agency and the GEF. A representative from the World Bank (WB) was also present. Representatives from IPIECA, University of Queensland and Incoming Council Co-Chair Atty. Antonio G.M. La Viña were also present as observers during the Meeting. The PEMSEA Resource Facility (PRF) served as the Secretariat for the Meeting.

iv. A full list of participants is attached as Annex 1. B. OPENING CEREMONY i. On behalf of the EAS Partnership Council, Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Council Chair,

welcomed the participants to the Meeting. With the completion of his term as Council Chair on 30 July 2013, Dr. Chua expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the members of the Executive Committee (EC) and PEMSEA Partners for their support. Dr. Chua highlighted the key efforts provided by the Country and Non-Country Partners as well as the UNDP, Global Environment Facility (GEF), International Maritime Organization (IMO), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and other international organizations that helped in the growth of PEMSEA and in overcoming the various challenges that came in its transformation.

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ii. In line with the transformation of PEMSEA into a full-fledged international organization, Dr. Chua provided the following suggestions: (a) develop PEMSEA as a competent professional international organization with the implementation of the PEMSEA Transformation Plans including the PRF Re-engineering Plan; (b) ensure a sustained leadership by strengthened involvement and collaboration of Country and Non-Country Partners and the PRF; (c) develop and strengthen sustainable financing mechanism by strengthening the Trust Fund and Partnership Fund mechanisms, and by improving PEMSEA’s financial accountability; and (d) consolidate partnerships and expand memberships by building on the lessons learned and partnerships developed over the years, as well as exert effort to facilitate the return of Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam to PEMSEA and formalize Thailand as a full-fledged Country Partner.

iii. Dr. Chua acknowledged the voluntary cost-sharing support to PEMSEA from the

countries, including the annual support provided by the Governments of the PR China, Japan, Philippines, RO Korea and Timor-Leste. He expressed full confidence that with the proven usefulness and relevance of PEMSEA in the region, the number of PEMSEA contributing countries will further increase in the future.

iv. On behalf of the DENR, Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh expressed her

gratitude to the Partnership Council for giving the DENR the opportunity to host the Meeting and PEMSEA’s 20th anniversary celebration. She informed the Meeting that the Headquarters Agreement between PEMSEA and the Government of the Philippines is about to be ratified by the Office of the President, Senate and Congress. She described the process as tedious but remains confident that the Agreement will be ratified by late 2013 or early 2014. She emphasized that the Government of the Philippines is pleased to host the PRF and recognizes the value of PEMSEA as a regional mechanism for sustainable development and integrated coastal management (ICM). Finally, she urged the participants of the Meeting to renew and strengthen their support as PEMSEA transforms into a self-sustaining organization.

v. On behalf of the UNDP, Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka, UNDP Manila Country Director,

conveyed his sincere thanks and recognition to Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, Mr. Hiroshi Terashima and Dr. Li Haiqing for their valuable contributions to PEMSEA as they leave their posts in the EAS Partnership Council. Mr. Tanaka highlighted the need for PEMSEA Country and Non-Country Partners to increase their stake, commitment and ownership of the organization as it transforms into an independent and interdependent organization. He also endorsed the scaling up of the implementation of SDS-SEA in the region, encouraging PEMSEA to align its strategies to respond to new regional and global commitments (e.g., The Future We Want) and in addressing 2015 and post-2015 targets of multilateral agreements (e.g., UN Millennium Development Goals).

vi. On behalf of the PRF, Mr. Adrian Ross, Acting Executive Director, welcomed the

participants to the three-day meeting which will include the celebration of PEMSEA’s 20th anniversary. He accorded special thanks to the Government of the Philippines for the valuable support in co-hosting both events. He emphasized the country’s generous support to PEMSEA, through the DENR, since its inception, which includes hosting of the PRF since 1993 and its

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continued commitment through the ratification of the Headquarters Agreement. Mr. Ross also recalled the EAS Congress 2012 which was hosted by Changwon City, RO Korea, exactly one year ago. He highlighted the noteworthy efforts and support of the Government of Korea through the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Marine Affairs and the city of Changwon.

vii. Mr. Ross emphasized how remarkable the past year has been for PEMSEA as it

exerted efforts to the following: (a) consolidate experiences and lessons learned on the ongoing GEF/UNDP project, including continuous self-evaluation and improvement to conform with international standards; (b) implement the three Transformation Plans as PEMSEA transforms into a full-fledged international organization; and (c) strengthen its partnerships with Country and Non-Country Partners in scaling up SDS-SEA implementation across the region. He hoped that the Meeting would guide and provide valuable inputs and recommendations as PEMSEA moves into its next phase.

viii. The full text of the Opening Ceremony speeches may be found in Annex 2.

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COUNCIL SESSION 1.0 ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS 1.1 Dr. Chua Thia-Eng served as the Chair of the Council Session. 1.2 The Secretariat introduced the principal reference documents for the Meeting

(Annex 3) and briefed the Meeting on general organizational arrangements. 2.0 ADOPTION OF AGENDA 2.1 The Meeting adopted the agenda without modification, as contained in Annex 4. 3.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND DECISIONS OF THE SPECIAL

EAS PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL AND 11TH AND 12TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND STATUS OF ACTIONS TAKEN (PC/13/DOC/05)

3.1 The Special Meeting of the EAS Partnership Council (July 2012) and the 11th

and 12th Executive Committee Meetings (October 2012 and April 2013) made over 70 decisions and recommendations, and provided guidance and direction in three major areas: the Governance of PEMSEA, PEMSEA’s transformation and the Five-Year SDS-SEA Implementation Plan.

3.2 The following key recommendations and decisions of the EAS Partnership

Council and the Executive Committee were addressed by the PRF:

• Completion of the nomination process for EAS Partnership Council Co-Chairs with the formal election to be undertaken during the Fifth EAS Partnership Council;

• Completion and adoption of the PEMSEA Rules of Governance during the 11th Executive Committee Meeting;

• Finalization and approval of the Terminal Evaluation Report by UNDP with fully satisfactory rating;

• Completion of an external audit of the PRF’s financial and administrative system, results of which highlight the PRF’s conformance to international fiduciary standards;

• Approval of the Project Information Form (PIF) for the GEF/UNDP Project on Scaling Up the Implementation of the SDS-SEA by the GEF Council; and

• Approval of the World Bank Medium-sized Project on Applying Knowledge Management to Scale up Partnership Investments for Sustainable Development of LMEs of East Asia and Their Coasts (2013–2016) by the GEF Secretariat.

3.3 The representative of RO Korea congratulated PEMSEA for its 20th anniversary

and expressed his gratitude to the GEF, UNDP and PEMSEA Country and Non-Country Partners for their continuous collaboration in implementing initiatives in support of the SDS-SEA. He also expressed RO Korea’s commitment to continue

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their partnership with PEMSEA and urged all Country and Non-Country Partners to extend their support to PEMSEA’s transformation.

Conclusions: 3.4 The PRF, with the support of the Executive Committee and the Country and Non-

Country Partners, has adequately addressed and completed majority of the decisions and recommendations of the previous Council and EC meetings.

3.5 Outcomes of the actions completed by the PRF, as well as other ongoing priority

actions, will be discussed under relevant agenda items of the Fifth EAS Partnership Council Meeting.

Recognition of the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute as a PEMSEA Regional Center of Excellence 3.6 The Secretariat introduced the rationale and process that had been adopted by

the EAS Partnership Council in identifying and selecting potential PEMSEA Regional Centers of Excellence (RCoE). It was recalled that the primary objective of PEMSEA’s RCoE is to provide a solid scientific foundation for national coastal and ocean policy development in the region, the planning and implementation of management programs, as well as building the required technical capacities among Partners for SDS-SEA implementation. The Secretariat informed the Meeting that the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) had been invited to become a PEMSEA RCoE, and had agreed to undergo a peer review by a panel of international experts. The peer review recommendation was for PEMSEA to consider the recognition of UP-MSI as a Regional Center of Excellence focusing on Coral Reef Research and Marine Protected Areas.

3.7 The Executive Committee expressed its appreciation to the international panel of experts for their review and recommendation, and endorsed the UP-MSI to the Council as a PEMSEA RCoE.

Recommendation: 3.8 The Council accepted the endorsement of the Executive Committee and agreed

to recognize the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute as PEMSEA Regional Center of Excellence in Coral Reef Research and Marine Protected Areas.

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between PEMSEA and UP-MSI: 3.9 Dr. Cesar Saloma, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman, and

Mr. Adrian Ross signed a Memorandum of Understanding acknowledging UP-MSI as a PEMSEA RCoE. Dr. Chua Thia-Eng and Dr. Marie Antonette Juinio-Meñez, UP-MSI Director, served as witnesses.

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3.10 Dr. Saloma expressed his appreciation to PEMSEA for recognizing the contributions of the UP-MSI and the UP College of Science in supporting the SDS-SEA implementation in the EAS region.

4.0 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL CHAIR (PC/13/DOC/06) 4.1 Dr. Chua Thia-Eng presented the Council Chair’s report on behalf of the

Executive Committee. 4.2 Members of the Council expressed their appreciation to the Executive Committee

for their guidance and direction during the intersessional period and for helping move forward PEMSEA’s transformation to an international organization and strengthening the regional ownership of PEMSEA.

4.3 To complete the remaining steps for the adoption and ratification of the

Headquarters Agreement, the Meeting noted that strong support is needed from Country and Non-Country Partners as well as the new Executive Committee, the DENR of the Philippines and the PRF.

4.4 The Meeting further emphasized that PEMSEA Country Partners and the

Executive Committee need to be engaged in the ongoing recruitment of the new PRF Executive Director and that the sustainability of the PRF Core Group remains a challenge despite the various efforts undertaken by the Executive Committee and the PRF in promoting the strengthening of the regional ownership of PEMSEA and voluntary contributions in support of the PRF Core Group.

4.5 Finally, the Meeting agreed that new partnership prospects — from proposed

projects with the GEF, UNDP, ACB and World Bank, as well as the ongoing efforts to secure the recognition of PEMSEA as implementing partner of UNDP — will open additional opportunities for PEMSEA.

Recommendation: 4.6 The Council Session recommended that the report of the Council Chair be

adopted as submitted. 5.0 REPORT OF THE ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (PC/13/DOC/07) 5.1 Mr. Adrian Ross introduced the Report of the Acting Executive Director. The

report highlighted major initiatives and achievements of the PEMSEA Country and Non-Country Partners, collaborators, as well as those of the PRF contributing to SDS-SEA implementation from 2011 to 2013.

5.2 The Meeting noted:

• the need to further promote and scale up the implementation of the Port Safety, Health and Environmental Management Systems (PSHEMS) and State of the Coasts (SOC) Reporting as important on-the-ground efforts of PEMSEA and significant tools in coastal and marine sustainability;

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• the increasing demand for ICM and PEMSEA services even outside of the EAS region, which will require intensified support to PRF activities, especially in the expansion of training and capacity-building effort;

• the various challenges faced by the PRF in the process of acting upon the

various decisions of the Partnership Council and in the implementation of the SDS-SEA. In particular, the frequent changes in national government personnel and PEMSEA National Focal Points (NFPs) require additional time and resources from the PRF to build relationships and fully engage new personnel in project coordination and implementation. A proposition was put forward to explore possibility of requesting the governments to assign longer years of service to NFPs depending on the mechanisms in each country.

• the importance of expanding the scientific basis of SDS-SEA implementation

and intensifying PEMSEA’s competency to support scientific-related issues, as PEMSEA expands its scope in covering various ocean and marine management issues.

5.3 The Meeting was informed of the China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations

(ASEAN) Maritime Cooperation Fund for maritime scientific research, connectivity and navigation safety, as a potential source of financial support for PEMSEA activities. The fund is scheduled to commence within 2013 and has initiated the call for project proposals.

Conclusions: 5.4 The Meeting concluded that:

• the strengthened support of Country and Non-Country Partners is crucial for PEMSEA to sustain its operations and address the growing demands for its services in the region;

• maintaining the quality operations and services of the PRF will help secure

more support from various donors; and

• PEMSEA can facilitate and work with the countries and the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) of China in the identification and development of possible projects that may be submitted for consideration in the China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund.

Recommendations: 5.5 The Council recommended that:

• The Acting Executive Director’s report be adopted as presented;

• Country and Non-Country Partners to review the draft PEMSEA Accomplishment Report 2011–2013 and provide inputs or corrections to the PRF by the end of August 2013; and

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• The PRF incorporate comments and changes provided by Country and Non-Country Partners by the end of August 2013 and proceed to finalize and publish PEMSEA’s Accomplishment Report 2011–2013.

6.0 ELECTION OF PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL OFFICERS AND CO-CHAIRS

(PC/13/DOC/08) 6.1 The Secretariat introduced the process for nominating and electing Council

Chairs and Co-Chairs and explained how the process had been implemented, with the oversight of the Executive Committee, which commenced in April 2013.

6.2 The Meeting noted that:

• the procedures employed in nominating and building a consensus on the respective Chairs and Co-Chairs of the EAS Partnership Council were well executed and involved all PEMSEA Country and Non-Country Partners;

• the current Co-Chairs Ambassador Mary Seet-Cheng, DENR Undersecretary

Analiza Teh and Prof. Chul-Hwan Koh will assume their new positions as Council Chair, Intergovernmental Session Chair and Technical Session Chair, respectively, on 30 July 2013.

• the nominees as new Co-Chairs of Council were: (a) Dr. Antonio La Viña,

former DENR Undersecretary and current Dean of the Ateneo School of Government, Philippines, as Council Co-Chair; (b) Dr. Zhang Zhanhai, Director-General of the SOA, PR China, as Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair; and (c) Mr. Makoto Harunari, Managing Director of Japan Institution for Transport Policy Studies (ITPS) as Technical Session Co-Chair.

Election of Council Officers: 6.3 The Council Session formally elected Ambassador Mary Seet-Cheng as Council

Chair, Undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh as Intergovernmental Session Chair, Prof. Chul-Hwan Koh as Technical Session Chair, Dr. Antonio La Viña as Council Co-Chair, Dr. Zhang Zhanhai as Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair and Mr. Makoto Harunari as Technical Session Co-Chair.

6.4 The six PEMSEA Executive Committee officers were sworn to office by Dr. Chua

Thia-Eng. Their terms of office will commence on 30 July 2013. 7.0 DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR PEMSEA SENIOR ADVISERS FOR COASTAL

AND OCEAN GOVERNANCE (PC/13/DOC/09) 7.1 The Council Chair requested that this matter be deferred to the next meeting of

the Executive Committee.

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Recommendation: 7.2 The Council deferred discussion on the topic to the next meeting of the Executive

Committee.

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TECHNICAL SESSION Mr. Hiroshi Terashima served as the Chair of the Technical Session. 8.0 PROGRESS TOWARD PEMSEA’S 2015 TARGETS (PC/13/DOC/10) 8.1 Ms. Nancy Bermas, PRF Senior Country Programme Manager, introduced the

paper on the progress toward PEMSEA’s 2015 targets. 8.2 The Technical Session reviewed the status of the three major targets under the

Haikou Partnership Agreement, including Target 2 (National ICM Policies), Target 3 (ICM Implementation in at least 20 percent of the Regional Coastline) and Target 4 (Reporting Mechanisms). Target 1 (Regional Governance Mechanism) was discussed under a separate agenda item.

The Technical Session noted the following: Target 2: National coastal and ocean policies adopted in 70 percent of PEMSEA participating countries 8.3 The target for the development and adoption of national coastal and ocean

policies is within reach, with coastal and ocean policies/legislations in place, pending adoption or in the process of development in nine participating countries. Implementation of the policies, however, needs to be strengthened.

Target 3: ICM development and implementation programs covering at least 20 percent of the region’s coastline 8.4 The target for ICM coastline coverage is also within reach, with 11.98 percent

coverage of regional coastline in 2011, and 57 sites covering 15.13 percent targeted to utilize ICM in addressing coastal and marine management issues in the next phase of GEF support for scaling up the SDS-SEA implementation.

8.5 There is, however, difficulty in assessing the exact coastline of sites due to

varying information from documents and sites. PEMSEA will utilize the official information coming from the National Focal Points of countries.

8.6 The 57 sites are comprised of programs/sites supported by various Country and

Non-Country Partners, local governments, donors and other collaborators, in addition to PEMSEA. During the scoping process, areas of convergence will be identified.

8.7 There is a strong need to develop long- and short-term goals for capacity

development and to implement capacity development activities to support ICM scaling-up through various strategies, such as putting in place new ICM Learning Centers in strategic locations and conducting ICM and ICM-related training courses with the support of various partners.

8.8 In addition to ICM and special skills trainings, there is a strong need to develop a

critical mass of ICM leaders who can take the lead in ICM implementation.

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8.9 It is important to develop quality ICM programs and to demonstrate the socioeconomic benefits of ICM to convince local governments to implement ICM. This can be done by helping local governments in setting up the ICM program and showing positive results on the ground by bringing them to successful ICM sites if necessary.

8.10 There are risks associated in setting up and in implementing ICM. In the initial

scoping, PEMSEA will need to ensure that the governance mechanism for implementing ICM can be put in place and operationalized as a minimum target.

Target 4: Reporting mechanisms 8.11 Local governments that are developing and implementing ICM programs will be

guided by PEMSEA’s ICM Code. The following criteria are critical to ICM program sustainability and effectiveness and will be the key indicators for determining ICM program coverage of the region’s coastline:

• Interagency coordinating mechanism in place and functional; • ICM Coordinating Office established, with an approved work plan and budget; • Core staff of the ICM Coordinating Office receiving training in ICM; • Coastal Strategy and Coastal Strategy Implementation Plan (or similar

strategies and plans) developed, adopted and initiated; • SOC baseline report prepared; and • Stakeholders identified and communication plan prepared, adopted and

implemented. 8.12 Apart from meeting the criteria, it is important to confirm that local governments

are properly implementing the ICM process based on the requirements of the ICM Code.

8.13 PEMSEA, national governments and other partners and collaborators need to

help establish/strengthen environmental monitoring programs, particularly at the local level, to assess/validate the effectiveness and impacts of ICM implementation.

Recommendations: The Technical Session recommended that:

Target 2: National coastal and ocean policies adopted in 70 percent of PEMSEA participating countries 8.14 Strengthening the development of national policies as well as the implementation

and mainstreaming of such policies into the medium-term development and investment plans of countries.

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Target 3: ICM development and implementation programs covering at least 20 percent of the region’s coastline 8.15 PRF and participating countries validate existing projects/initiatives in the 57 ICM

scaling-up sites during the scoping stage of the project and determine areas of convergence among the implementers and existing programs/projects in each site.

8.16 Enhanced collaboration with PEMSEA Non-Country Partners and PNLG

members to achieve the targets for ICM scaling-up. 8.17 Country and Non-Country Partners provide support to the PRF to help build the

critical mass of ICM practitioners and ICM leaders who can negotiate, mediate, convey message, and institute and leverage resources to facilitate ICM scaling-up.

8.18 Participating countries confirm coastline lengths (with and without islands). Target 4: Reporting mechanisms 8.19 The PRF to conduct further discussion and consideration of indicators for

validating ICM implementation together with various partners.

9.0 UPDATING THE SDS-SEA, STRATEGIC TARGETS AND SDS-SEA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (2016–2020) (PC/13/DOC/11)

9.1 Mr. Guo Yinfeng, PRF Programme Officer, introduced the subject paper. Mr. Guo

emphasized the following points:

• The SDS-SEA is conceived to be a collaborative platform and framework for implementing and achieving global and regional commitments, including the targets of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Plan of Implementation, UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Aichi Targets, Agenda 21 and other multilateral environmental agreements. Thus, it needs to be relevant to the regional and global context.

• In line with the new global developments and the changing context of the

EAS region, there is a need to update and align the SDS-SEA with new regional and global commitments (i.e., Rio+20’s The Future We Want, Dongying Declaration on Building a Blue Economy through Integrated Coastal Management, Changwon Declaration toward an Ocean-based Blue Economy, and several newly ratified international conventions), and scale up SDS-SEA implementation to keep PEMSEA relevant to the emerging needs of Country and Non-Country Partners.

9.2 The Technical Session expressed its support to the proposal to update the SDS-

SEA, its strategic targets and implementation plan with a target of having the updated documents completed for adoption at the EAS Congress and Ministerial Forum in 2015.

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9.3 The Technical Session provided the following suggestions for consideration in the updating and development of the documents:

• conduct a review of SDS-SEA implementation in the past 10 years; • include issues and strategies related to ocean disaster mitigation in response

to serious climate change impacts in the region;

• highlight the need to further guide countries in developing and implementing ICM initiatives;

• include marine spatial planning as an essential tool in scaling up ICM

implementation and in achieving an ocean-based blue economy; and • set the strategic targets of the post-2015 SDS-SEA to align the SDS-SEA

targets with other international targets, including forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

9.4 The link of marine spatial planning to ICM will require further discussion. However, Xiamen’s experience on functional use zoning might be helpful in formulating new targets for the SDS-SEA.

9.5 There is also a need to clarify the role of the PEMSEA Expert Advisory Group in

the formulation of post-2015 regional targets. Conclusions: The Technical Session concluded that: 9.6 It is necessary and timely to update the SDS-SEA and align with new regional

and global targets and changes in the region. 9.7 Better coordination with and participation of all Country and Non-Country

Partners should be ensured in the process. 9.8 The updated SDS-SEA must highlight the new priorities of countries in response

to changes in governance and management structures. 9.9 The proposed process on updating the SDS-SEA should be included in the

proposed actions in the GEF/UNDP Project Document on Scaling Up the Implementation of the SDS-SEA.

Recommendations: The Technical Session recommended that: 9.10 The PRF proceed with the preparation for the updating of the SDS-SEA, strategic

targets and SDS-SEA Implementation Plan;

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9.11 The PRF coordinate with Country and Non-Country Partners in the updating of the SDS-SEA documents; and

9.12 The PRF include the process of updating the SDS-SEA in the GEF/UNDP

Project Document on Scaling Up the Implementation of the SDS-SEA. 10.0 COLLABORATIVE PLANNING IN LINE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF

THE FIVE-YEAR REGIONAL SDS-SEA IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (PC/13/DOC/12)

Five-Year Regional SDS-SEA Implementation Plan 10.1 The PRF Secretariat introduced the collaborative planning process in the context

of the Five-Year Regional SDS-SEA Implementation Plan. The Plan provides a platform, between PEMSEA and various Country and Non-Country Partners and collaborators, in exploring areas of convergence and collaboration in the planning, development, financing and/or implementing complementary or collaborative projects on coastal and ocean development in the EAS region.

10.2 Country and Non-Country Partners and collaborators were invited by the Chair to

identify opportunities/proposals for collaborative planning and implementation for SDS-SEA implementation.

World Bank-GEF Program Framework Document: Scaling up Partnership Investments for Sustainable Development of the Large Marine Ecosystems of East Asia and Their Coasts 10.3 Mr. Josefo Tuyor, Senior Operations Officer at the Philippines Sustainable Unit,

East Asia and the Pacific Region of the World Bank, introduced the World Bank-GEF Program Framework Document (PFD). The PFD consists of seven projects as follows:

(1) Philippines

• Manila Bay Integrated Water Quality Management Project • Philippines Rural Development Project

(2) PR China • Guangdong Non-point Pollution Control Project

(3) Indonesia • Coral Reef Management Project Phase 3

(4) Vietnam • Coastal Resources for Sustainable Development Project

(5) Regional • Targeted Learning and Innovation: Capturing Coral Reef Ecosystem

Services in East Asia • Knowledge Management for Program Implementation

10.4 The PFD, which was approved by the GEF Council in November 2011, primarily

aims to strengthen sustainable development of large marine ecosystems (LMEs) in the region and improve the livelihoods of local populations through pollution

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reduction, promotion of sustainable marine and coastal resources management, and improvement of knowledge management and knowledge sharing. Under the platform program, a Medium-size Regional Knowledge Management (KM) project will be implemented by PEMSEA. The program will support investments in knowledge sharing and targeted research to address the priorities identified in the SDS-SEA at the regional and national level. The programmatic approach will not only facilitate increased investments but also promote better collaboration.

10.5 The Technical Session expressed their appreciation to the World Bank for

recognizing the SDS-SEA as the platform for the program and for the approval of the Medium-sized Project (MSP) on the KM component of the program, which will provide PEMSEA the opportunity to: (a) develop a KM platform where knowledge can be used to leverage investment; (b) build and strengthen communities of practice through the PNLG, ICM Learning Centers, EAS Partnership Council, etc.; and (c) provide service by putting the knowledge into language that can be better understood by the end users, particularly policymakers, local chief executives and those responsible in developing investment plans.

10.6 There are global benefits that can be derived from the regional project on KM to

be implemented by PEMSEA and outputs of which should be shared in other regions. The UNDP-GEF representative confirmed that this is a target in the draft GEF-6 Portfolio.

GEF/World Bank Capturing Coral Reef Ecosystem Services Project

10.7 Ms. Melanie King, Deputy Director of the Global Change Institute, University of

Queensland, introduced the Project on Capturing Coral Reef Ecosystem Services (CCRES). The project covers several countries in the EAS region (i.e., Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam) and other Pacific Islands (Kiribati and Solomon Islands). It has three components, including: (a) quantifying and valuing of coral reef and mangrove ecosystem services; (b) demonstrating application of the information to management interventions and marketing to generate revenue streams for communities investing in conservation and sustainable use of these resources; and (c) creating a knowledge platform to inform projects and stakeholders throughout the region.

10.8 The Project sees several areas of cooperation with PEMSEA, including: (a)

climate change adaptation; (b) sustainable use of coastal and marine ecosystem services; (c) building of a knowledge platform; and (d) increase in public and private sector investments that contribute to a sustainable ocean-based blue economy.

10.9 The Technical Session noted that it would be beneficial to harmonize the CCRES

with existing programs/interventions at the national level (e.g., Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystems Management Program [SCREMP] in the Philippines) and regional level (e.g., International Coral Reef Initiative [ICRI] and Coral Triangle Initiative [CTI]) and to draw from the experiences of these initiatives in designing the project.

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10.10 The Technical Session highlighted the link between the objectives of this project and the work being planned in the scaling-up of SDS-SEA implementation. It was concluded that existing ICM sites in the region could serve as pilot sites under the CCRES project, recognizing that necessary governance frameworks and processes are already in place, which will help with the project efficiency and effectiveness.

Reducing Pollution and Rebuilding Degraded Marine Resources in the East Asian Seas through Implementation of Intergovernmental Agreements and Catalyzed Investments 10.11 Dr. Jose Padilla, Regional Technical Advisor at the Land Degradation and

International Waters of the UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok, introduced the GEF/UNDP Program Framework Document (PFD) on Reducing Pollution and Rebuilding Degraded Marine Resources in the East Asian Seas through Implementation of Intergovernmental Agreements and Catalyzed Investments. He informed the Technical Session that the EAS Stocktaking Meeting (October 2010) concluded and supported the need for increased programmatic GEF investments in the EAS region and recognized the viability of PEMSEA and the SDS-SEA in providing a mechanism and framework for integrated and collaborative planning and coordination.

10.12 The GEF/UNDP PFD on Reducing Pollution and Rebuilding Degraded Marine

Resources in the East Asian Seas through Implementation of Intergovernmental Agreements and Catalyzed Investments was approved by the GEF Council in November 2012 with a total GEF investment of USD 20 million and includes the following projects which were subsequently approved by the GEF Council in June 2013:

• Scaling up the Implementation of the SDS-SEA — which involves eight East

Asian countries including Brunei Darussalam, Japan, RO Korea and Singapore — with a total GEF investment of USD 10,143,992;

• Implementation of the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) Strategic Action Program for Adaptive Management — which involves PR China (together with RO Korea) — with a total GEF investment of USD 7,562,430; and

• Sustainable Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the West Pacific and East Asian Seas — which involves Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam — with a total GEF investment of USD 2,293,578.

10.13 The Project Information Form for the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Project on Scaling up

the Implementation of the SDS-SEA has been approved by the GEF Council Meeting in June 2013. The project aims to rebuild and sustain coastal and ocean ecosystem services across the EAS region through the scaling-up of partnerships, capacities and investments at the regional, country and local levels.

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10.14 The Technical Session noted that:

• the GEF/UNDP PFD provides a good opportunity for PEMSEA with the recognition of the SDS-SEA providing the overarching framework for the projects;

• the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Project, on the other hand, identified the PEMSEA

EAS Partnership Council as the overall program coordination/governance mechanism for the project, while the PRF is being targeted to serve as the implementing partner of UNDP;

• the GEF/UNDP/PEMSEA Project on Scaling up the Implementation of the

SDS-SEA is not only a GEF project but actually involves co-financing from the participating countries that is several times higher than the GEF counterpart;

• the programmatic approach will greatly enhance resource mobilization for

projects in the region; and

• the PFD or programmatic approach provides opportunity to coordinate with the YSLME and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and ensure linkage or contribution to the SDS-SEA. At the same time, this will provide a common platform for sharing of information and lessons learned.

Pacific Islands National Ridge to Reef Priorities: Integrated Water, Land, Forest and Coastal Management to Preserve Biodiversity Ecosystem Services, Store Carbon, Improve Climate Resilience and Sustain Livelihoods 10.15 Dr. Jose Padilla introduced the Pacific Ridge to Reef Project. The Project has

been approved by the GEF and covers all 14 Pacific Island countries. Its aim is to test the mainstreaming of ridge-to-reef, climate-resilient approaches to integrated land, water, forest and coastal management in the Pacific Island Countries through strategic planning, capacity-building and piloted local actions to sustain livelihoods and preserve ecosystem services.

10.16 The Project covers different GEF focal areas including International Waters,

Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Land Degradation and Sustainable Forestry Management. The main source of funds will be the GEF Trust Fund and the Least Developed Countries Fund and has a total GEF grant of USD 82.9 million (UNDP with 63.7 million; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [FAO] with 12 million; and United Nations Environment Programme [UNEP] with 7.2 million)

10.17 The ridge-to-reef concept includes the application of ICM, ecosystem-based

management (EBM) and integrated water resources management (IWRM). 10.18 The Technical Session noted that PEMSEA’s ICM model provides a good area

for collaboration through exchange of best practices and capacity-building/training on ICM, among others.

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10.19 As PEMSEA grows, it is expected to share its rich experience in ICM

implementation to others, including countries and organizations outside the region. Further discussion on responding to requests outside the EAS region is found under Agenda 12 of the Intergovernmental Session (Guidelines/Principles on the Provision of PEMSEA Services Outside of the EAS Region).

Global Initiative South East Asia 10.20 Mr. Joselito Guevarra, Project Manager, Global Initiative Southeast Asia (GI

SEA) of IPIECA/IMO, introduced the Global Initiative (GI) programme and its key initiatives in South East Asia. The GI is a program wherein governments, through the IMO, and the oil industry, through IPIECA, are working together to assist in building capacities for oil spill preparedness and response. This joint program between the IMO and IPIECA was launched in 1996, with the intention of creating a partnership between industry and government to improve oil spill preparedness and response capability around the world.

10.21 The GI SEA aims to improve the capability in the region by assisting in the

development of national capacities in oil spill preparedness and response through industry and government cooperation. Some of the opportunities for collaboration include:

(1) Gulf of Thailand (GOT) Subregional Programme covering Cambodia,

Thailand and Vietnam; • Contingency planning • Claims and compensation • Dispersants use • Environmental sensitivity index (ESI) mapping • Promotion of international conventions related to oil spills (International

Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation [OPRC], International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage [CLC], etc.)

(2) Improving national oil spill preparedness and response capacity in Southeast

Asia; and

(3) Building regional capabilities (ASEAN Oil Spill Response Action Plan [OSRAP], bilateral agreements and others).

10.22 The Technical Session suggested that IPIECA, through the GI SEA, also look

into the possibility of expanding the scope of its initiative to include ESI mapping not only in the Gulf of Thailand but also in other areas in the region.

Scaling up the Coverage and Effectiveness of Marine Conservation Areas and Threatened Species Protection in South East and East Asia through ICM 10.23 Atty. Roberto Oliva, Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

(ACB), expressed ACB’s continuing support to PEMSEA and informed the Meeting of the ongoing collaboration between PEMSEA and the ACB in

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developing the Project on Scaling up the Coverage and Effectiveness of Marine Conservation Areas and Threatened Species Protection in South East and East Asia through ICM.

10.24 Dr. Sheila Vergara, Director of ACB Biodiversity Information Management,

provided further details on the Project. The Project will cover Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, PR China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. The project will be co-implemented by the ACB and PRF and will run for five years. The funding being requested from the LifeWeb Initiative is at EUR 25 million (about USD 34 million) while co-financing secured is at EUR 12.3 million (about USD 17 million). The project hopes to contribute in the achievement of the Aichi targets, as well as with the SDS-SEA objectives.

10.25 The Project has three key components focusing on: (a) strengthening of scientific

basis for identifying networks of Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and developing and demonstrating methodologies for delineating the importance of identified conservation areas; (b) application of systematic ICM project development and implementation cycle focused on biodiversity conservation and protection and recovery of threatened marine species; and (c) development and implementation of comprehensive KM program in support of increased investments in biodiversity conservation and management as part of sustainable development of coasts and oceans of the region.

10.26 Through this initiative, the Project is envisioned to contribute to the following

SDS-SEA targets: (a) Target 3: Scaling up of ICM coverage; and (b) Target 5: Improve ICM capacity and raise awareness and increasing investments in biodiversity conservation and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi targets.

Implementation of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety-German International Cooperation (BMU-GIZ) Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion Project to Develop a Network of Protected Areas to Safeguard Sea Turtles and their Habitats and Design and Implement an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Regime for Selected Marine-Managed Areas in the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion 10.27 Ms. Davelyn Pastor-Rengel, Project Coordinator of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine

Ecoregion (SSME) Project of Conservation International (CI) Philippines, introduced the BMU-GIZ SSME Project which includes Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The Project, which is implemented by the GIZ and CI Philippines, aims to develop a network of protected areas to safeguard sea turtles and their habitats and to design and implement an ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) regime for selected marine-managed areas (MMAs) in the SSME.

10.28 The Project includes the following components: (a) establishment of coordination

and institutional mechanisms supporting the implementation of the SSME Comprehensive Action Plans (CAPs); (b) design and implementation of a capacity-building program at a tri-national level; and (c) development and

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implementation of an effective KM and communication, education and awareness strategy among protected areas.

10.29 The Project is linked to the implementation of the CTI Plan of Action and

contributes to the SSME CAP implementation and CBD. The Project sees linkage with the SDS-SEA, particularly in the indicator related to the development of partnerships for protecting habitats, fisheries and/or rare and endangered species.

Ocean Policy Research Foundation’s Initiatives to Promote ICM Implementation in Japan 10.30 Mr. Shigeru Yoneyama, Deputy Director, Ocean Affairs Department, Ocean

Policy Research Foundation (OPRF) of Japan, presented the initiatives of the OPRF in line with the efforts to promote and operationalize ICM in Japan. The OPRF provides technical advice to local governments in Japan through study groups and trainings. In 2010–2012, five model sites have been set up in the towns of Obama, Miyako, Shima, Bizen, Sukumo and Otsuki. In the succeeding phase (2013–2015), the OPRF plans to establish a Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA) cycle in the sites.

10.31 The OPRF also assists universities in ICM curriculum development and promotes

interdisciplinary education on ICM in the collegiate and graduate levels. To date, it has already created a model ICM curriculum structure and supported lectures on Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management with universities. It hopes to establish partnerships and consortia, utilizing the specializations of universities and institutions. Through this, the OPRF hopes to actively promote development of ICM education in universities.

International Union for Conservation of Nature Southeast Asia (IUCN SE Asia) Building Resilience to Climate Change Impacts and Mangroves for the Future Initiative 10.32 Ms. Maeve Nightingale, Coordinator at the International Union for Conservation

of Nature (IUCN) Asia, introduced two important projects pioneered by the IUCN in the Southeast Asian region: the Building Resilience to Climate Change Impacts: Coastal Southeast Asia and the Mangroves for the Future Initiative (MFF). The first project intends to increase the adaptive capacity of people and ecosystems on the possible impact brought about by climate change. Covering selected areas in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, the Project aims to strengthen disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives through sound governance and planning. The MFF Project, on the other hand, focuses on ICM initiatives, such as ecosystem restoration and conservation, to build resilience and secure ecosystem goods and services for coastal communities. Its member countries include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The IUCN-ARO and UNDP, the co-chairs of the MFF Project, has invited PEMSEA to join the MFF Regional Steering Committee.

10.33 The IUCN/MFF also noted its past collaboration projects with PEMSEA including

the ICM Regional Governance Review 2007, Joint Proposal Development for

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Timor-Leste and the Asia Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet) Workshop 2012 China/Vietnam Cooperation.

10.34 Areas of collaboration identified by the IUCN/MFF in line with the SDS-SEA

implementation are anchored on the following targets: regional governance; national governance; ICM scaling-up; monitoring, evaluation and reporting; and capacity-development and knowledge management.

Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management (COREMAP) Phase 3 10.35 Mr. Beny Bastiawan, Head of Sub-Division of Development Division for

Restoration and Assistant Deputy for Coastal and Marine Degradation Control of the Ministry of Environment of Indonesia, presented the Phase 3 of the Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Project (COREMAP). The Project will be executed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries from 2014 to 2019. Its goal is to enlarge the coverage of protected areas in Indonesia to conserve threatened coral reef ecosystems and improve the management of existing and new protected areas.

10.36 Under the COREMAP Phase 3 project, a potential area of collaboration with

PEMSEA includes the sharing of expertise, approaches, tools and good practices related to: (a) ICM capacity-building, development and implementation; (b) coral reef conservation, rehabilitation and management; (c) biodiversity conservation; (d) sustainable fisheries; (e) climate change adaptation; and (f) sustainable livelihood development. Further collaboration can also be explored in selected project locations, including Wakatobi in southeast Sulawesi and Raja Ampat in Papua.

Renewed Basic Plan on Ocean Policy: Japan’s Basic Ocean Policy for the Next Five Years 10.37 Mr. Hiromichi Fujiwara, Section Chief at the Ocean Policy Division of the Ministry

of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, introduced Japan’s Renewed Basic Plan on Ocean Policy. The Renewed Basic Plan is a revision of the Basic Plan on Oceans Policy promulgated in 2008 based on the Basic Act on Ocean Policy (2007). The Plan was updated in view of events that occurred since 2008, such as a review of the energy policy due to the Fukushima nuclear disaster and discussions among Diet members, Federation of Economic Organizations and academic societies.

10.38 The Renewed Plan has 12 measures pertaining to the various interests of Japan

in the coasts and oceans, including promotion of the development and use of marine resources, preservation of the marine environment and comprehensive management of coastal zones. Its four basic policy directions are as follows:

• International cooperation and contribution to international society; • Wealth and prosperity through the development and utilization of marine

resources; • From “country protected by the sea” to “country protecting the sea”; and • Exploring unexploited frontiers.

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10.39 Japan also announced that the next PNLG Forum will be held on 30 September–

2 October 2013 in Shima City, Japan. 10.40 The Technical Session noted that the Renewed Plan appears to be very

comprehensive and may provide a good example of a national ocean policy. Japan was requested to have the English version of the Renewed Basic Plan available online.

Key Initiatives in Thailand Contributing to SDS-SEA Implementation 10.41 Mr. Sombat Poovachiranon, Marine Biodiversity Specialist at the Ministry of

Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, discussed some of the key initiatives in Thailand related to the SDS-SEA. As the key agency for managing sustainable use of marine and coastal resources in Thailand, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) is implementing numerous initiatives contributing to SDS-SEA implementation, including: (a) preparation of national policies and legislations concerning marine and coastal resources management; (b) ICM program development and implementation in priority locations; and (c) community participation and efforts to address coastal erosion through innovative approaches for mangrove reforestation, coral restoration and rehabilitation, seagrass restoration, management of MPAs, monitoring of alien species in ballast water and joint marine scientific cruise in the Gulf of Thailand with PR China.

10.42 Other key initiatives in Thailand include: (a) strengthening of mechanisms and

capacity for joint oil spill preparedness and response in the Gulf of Thailand in collaboration with neighboring countries; (b) oil spill contingency planning at the local level; (c) PSHEMS development and implementation in Bangkok Port and Laem Chabang Port; and (d) preparation of a Five-Year SDS-SEA Implementation Plan for Thailand.

10.43 In scaling up the implementation of the SDS-SEA in Thailand, PEMSEA was

requested to support efforts related to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, especially in relation to coral bleaching which has occurred widely in Thailand with large-scale impacts.

International Ocean Institute’s Main Areas of Activity 10.44 Dr. Cherdsak Virapat, Executive Director of the International Ocean Institute

(IOI), shared IOI’s key areas of activities. Under its education, training/capacity-building activities, IOI offers the following:

• international master’s degree program in ocean governance conducted at the

University of Malta; • training on Ocean Governance Policy, Law and Management; and • training programs on regional ocean governance.

10.45 The IOI also conducts system-wide pilot projects in different regions and

countries, and, at national and local levels, provides assistance in project

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adoption, implementation and expansion by national governments and local communities.

10.46 On 4–6 September 2013, IOI will hold the 24th Pacem in Maribus International

Forum with the themes “Impacts of Climate Change and Ocean-Related Hazards, Water and Flood Management Policy Implications, Protection, Mitigation and Adaptation” and “Follow up of the Outcome of Rio+20, Implementation of UNCLOS and Related Instruments in the Southeast Asian Region.” The Forum is organized with the support and participation of various agencies, including PEMSEA. In particular, PEMSEA will be represented by Dr. Chua Thia-Eng, who will serve as Co-Chair of Theme 2 of the Forum, and Amb. Mary Seet-Cheng and Mr. Adrian Ross as presenters.

UNEP Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) Activities Contributing to Five-Year SDS-SEA Implementation Plan 10.47 Dr. Alexander Tkalin, Coordinator of the UNEP Northwest Pacific Action Plan

(NOWPAP), presented the different activities of NOWPAP contributing to the SDS-SEA. A number of NOWPAP’s key activities, particularly under the NOWPAP Medium-term Strategy 2012–2017, has contributed or can contribute in meeting some of the targets of the SDS-SEA Five-Year Implementation Plan:

• Under ICM scaling-up, NOWPAP is working on integrated coastal and river

basin management (ICARM); • On monitoring, evaluation and reporting, NOWPAP undertakes regular

assessments of the state of the marine environment; • On capacity development and knowledge management, several workshops,

training courses, oil spill field exercises and database development have and will be undertaken; and

• On sustainable financing, NOWPAP member countries have increased their contribution and several external funded projects have been implemented.

10.48 NOWPAP and its Regional Activity Centers can provide expertise on marine litter

management, eutrophication assessment, remote sensing data analysis, database creation and management, oil spill preparedness and response, risk assessment and ESI mapping.

10.49 In December 2013, NOWPAP will develop its Programme of Work for 2014–

2015. This will provide a good opportunity for NOWPAP and PEMSEA to identify key areas of collaboration, such as:

• Regional biodiversity conservation plan; • Assessment of climate change impacts on coastal/offshore marine

ecosystems; • Measures related to ballast water management; and • ICM training courses.

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UNEP/GEF Project on Global Foundations for Reducing Nutrient Enrichment and Oxygen Depletion from Land-based Pollution in Support of Global Nutrient Cycle 10.50 Mr. Anjan Datta, Programme Officer at the GPA Coordination Unit of UNEP,

informed the Meeting on some of current undertakings of UNEP-GPA. The Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM) was launched in Manila in January 2012 and culminated with the signing of the Manila Declaration by 64 governments in support of the GPNM. In line with this, a document titled Our Nutrient World was published and the Second Global Conference on Land-Ocean Connections (GLOC-2) will be convened on 2–4 October 2013 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. GLOC-2 aims to (a) update the progress in implementing the GPA Manila Declaration; (b) showcase the contribution of regional seas conventions and action plans in implementing the GPA Manila Declaration; (c) identify possible policy pathways at the national level for the GPA implementation, including ICM and other relevant national policies; and (d) serve as a Partnership Forum for the three Global Partnerships on marine litter, nutrients and wastewater.

10.51 The Meeting was also informed of the UNEP/GEF Project Global Foundations for

Reducing Nutrient Enrichment and Oxygen Depletion from Land-based Pollution in Support of Global Nutrient Cycle. The PRF is implementing the component on the application of tools and modeling techniques in the Manila Bay watershed to produce actual nutrient reduction strategies and to serve as model for replication in other regions, including the development of an ecosystem health report card through pilot testing in Chilika Lake (India) and eventual replication in Laguna de Bay (Philippines).

Conclusions: 10.52 The Technical Session concluded that one of its primary functions is to provide

an interactive forum for collaborative planning and cooperation for the execution of the Five-Year SDS-SEA Implementation Plan. It was noted, however, that the format and process of information sharing and discussion need to be reviewed to allow more substantive discussions on possible collaborations.

10.53 Partners, particularly Non-Country Partners, have specific issue-areas, expertise

and initiatives that can be linked to components of the SDS-SEA Implementation Plan.

Recommendations: The Technical Session recommended that: 10.54 Collaborative planning become a regular activity of the Technical Session of the

EAS Partnership Council; 10.55 Dedicating a one-day pre-workshop to facilitate better interaction among Country

and Non-Country Partners and to provide an opportunity to actually forge collaboration between PEMSEA and its partners, sponsoring organizations and collaborators;

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10.56 Restructuring the format of the collaborative planning process by:

• Preparing a summary of areas of convergence identifying how Non-Country Partner initiatives add value to the existing initiatives in the region and how knowledge, skills and additional resources are leveraged from the Non-Country Partners in the process;

• Focusing on the substantive aspects of SDS-SEA targets and objectives and

identifying gaps and lessons learned; and

• Specifying how the initiatives of Partners and collaborators contribute to SDS-SEA implementation.

10.57 The PRF shall ensure that organizations and countries that collaborate and co-

convene plans/activities/programs with PEMSEA are duly recognized. 11.0 EAST ASIAN SEAS CONGRESS 2015 (PC/13/DOC/13) 11.1 Mr. Vu Si Tuan, Vice Administrator from the Vietnam Administration of Seas and

Islands (VASI), informed the Meeting that the hosting of the EAS Congress 2015 has been approved by VASI and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE). VASI and MONRE will submit their endorsement together with other pertinent documents to the Prime Minister for approval. In line with this, they requested for PRF’s support in providing more details particularly on the financial details that may be required by the Prime Minister’s office.

11.2 With regard to the possible schedule, Vietnam suggested to consider holding the

EAS Congress and Ministerial Forum in May 2015. This is to avoid Lunar New Year holidays in the first quarter of the year and the rainy season after May.

11.3 Vietnam has started to assess five options for the venue, including: (a) Danang;

(b) Quang Ning; (c) Haiphong; (d) Hanoi; and (e) Ho Chi Minh. An initial ocular inspection has been undertaken in Danang. While transportation costs going to Danang may be a bit higher, Danang was found to have the following advantages:

• Location: It is situated in the center of Vietnam; • Facilities: It has an international airport, various hotels and a big stadium that

can accommodate the requirements for the EAS Congress; • Relevance to PEMSEA: As Vietnam’s ICM demonstration site, Danang can

showcase the initiatives undertaken and developments in the area in line with their ICM implementation; and

• Experience in hosting other international events. 11.4 Ms. Kathrine Rose Gallardo, PRF Secretariat Coordinator, introduced the

proposed theme and program for the EAS Congress 2015. Taking into consideration the conclusions and recommendations of the previous EAS Congresses and Ministerial Forums, as well as the new developments and commitments at the international and regional level related to sustainable

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development, the theme “Upscaling Locally, Achieving Globally: Continuity and Change in Coastal and Ocean Governance in the Seas of East Asia,” was proposed.

11.5 In line with the proposed theme, the EAS Congress International Conference

could develop several key thematic sessions building on two major objectives:

• take stock of the progress, accomplishments and gaps in achieving the SDS-SEA targets for 2015 and their impacts; and

• rationalize the development of SDS-SEA SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound) targets and supporting actions beyond 2015 and ways forward.

11.6 The year 2015 is a milestone year for a number of regional and international

instruments/commitments (i.e., MDGs, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Hyogo Framework of Action, World Food Summit, Haikou Partnership Agreement on SDS-SEA). Thus, competition will be tight in terms of participation and financial support and that the identification of the best schedule is crucial.

11.7 The representative from RO Korea expressed its gratitude to Vietnam for

agreeing to host the EAS Congress 2015 and offered to provide information and know-how from their experience in hosting the EAS Congress 2012.

Conclusions: 11.8 The Technical Session expressed its appreciation to Vietnam for agreeing to host

the EAS Congress and Ministerial Forum in 2015 and to RO Korea for their offer to share their experience in organizing the EAS Congress 2012.

The Technical Session concluded that: 11.9 The overall sustainability of the EAS Congress depends on the commitment and

active involvement by all Country and Non-Country Partners in the planning, conceptualization and implementation of the event.

11.10 Holding the EAS Congress in Danang will provide a good opportunity to highlight

the value of the EAS Congress, not only as an international event but also an event for local governments and stakeholders.

11.11 Early announcement of the EAS Congress’s schedule and venue will enable

early preparations by Country and Non-Country Partners and other collaborators. 11.12 A special session focusing on the SDS-SEA targets during the EAS Congress

will be valuable.

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Recommendations: The Technical Session recommended that: 11.13 The PRF discuss the schedule, venue and financial requirements for the EAS

Congress 2015 with Vietnam, with the target of having the initial announcement of schedule and venue before the end of 2013;

11.14 The PRF coordinate with Country and Non-Country Partners and collaborators in

further developing the theme and program for the EAS Congress; and 11.15 The Country and Non-Country Partners actively participate in the planning,

organization and actual conduct of the EAS Congress 2015.

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INTERGOVERNMENTAL SESSION INTRODUCTION

i. The Intergovernmental Session was attended by representatives from nine

PEMSEA Country Partners, namely Cambodia, PR China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Philippines, RO Korea, Singapore and Vietnam. The Government of Thailand is represented as a participating country in the GEF/UNDP/UNOPS Project on Implementation of the SDS-SEA.

ii. The Intergovernmental Session was also attended by the representatives from

the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office in Manila and UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok.

iii. Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh served as the Chair of the Intergovernmental

Session. 12.0 TRANSFORMATION OF PEMSEA INTO A SUSTAINABLE OPERATING

MECHANISM: Implementation of the PRF Re-engineering and Sustainable Financing Plans (PC/13/DOC/14)

The PRF Secretariat introduced the paper on the status and progress toward PEMSEA’s transformation, including the following: PRF Re-engineering Plan Headquarters Agreement 12.1 As of June 2013, all nine certificates of concurrence (COCs) from relevant

Philippine government agencies in support of the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and PEMSEA were received and forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The DFA will in turn forward the Headquarters Agreement, together with the COCs, to the Office of the President for approval, and thereafter to the Senate for ratification. The process is targeted to be completed by the first quarter of 2014.

PEMSEA Rules of Governance 12.2 The development and adoption of the PEMSEA Rules of Governance has been

completed with the adoption of the last three annexes (PRF Procurement Guidelines, Code of Ethics for PEMSEA Personnel and Rules on Reporting and Investigation of Violations of Code of Ethics) by the 11th Executive Committee Meeting in October 2012.

Establishment of Audit Committee (PC/13/DOC/14a) 12.3 In accordance with the Terms of Reference for the Audit Committee, as adopted

by the Council in October 2012, the following candidates were endorsed by the PRF for consideration and approval by the Intergovernmental Session:

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• Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh (Undersecretary and Chief of Staff, DENR Philippines)

• Ms. Ma. Lourdes Baluyot (Former Finance Consultant, various UNDP country offices)

• Ms. Gina V. Aljecera (Chief Economic Development Specialist of the Agricultural Staff, Environmental Services Division; Agriculture Staff, National Economic and Development Authority, Philippines)

12.4 The Audit Committee will provide an oversight function and ensure checks and

balances with regard to the financial management of PEMSEA. In particular, the Audit Committee will determine whether financial procedures are put in place and are implemented in accordance with established financial management procedures and review audit reports and recommendations ensuring that they are implemented following the guidelines and recommendations set forth by an external auditor.

12.5 It was clarified that the members of the Audit Committee will receive honoraria,

and reimbursement for travel expenses and allowances for the conduct of auditing functions and report preparations, including participation in at most two meetings per year. The Intergovernmental Session was informed that, in accordance with Philippine Standard Auditing Rules, director-level and staff in higher positions are not allowed to receive honoraria.

Establishment of PEMSEA Expert Advisory Group (PC/13/DOC/14b) 12.6 The PEMSEA Expert Advisory Group will be established as and when needed:

(a) to advise the PRF on specific issues and emerging trends related to the objectives and targets of the SDS-SEA; (b) to conduct reviews of informative documents (e.g., codes, guides and technical standards); and (c) to ensure that there is scientific basis for specific recommendations relevant to SDS-SEA implementation.

Recruitment of the PRF Executive Director 12.7 The open application for the PRF Executive Director was undertaken from May to

10 June 2013. A total of 33 applications were received with three candidates coming from the EAS region and 30 from outside the region. Of the 33 applicants, three applicants (one from Australia, the Netherlands, and the Philippines) were shortlisted.

12.8 It was recognized that there is a need to facilitate the process of recruiting the

PRF Executive Director in preparation for PEMSEA’s entry into a new phase. It is highly important to identify the appropriate individual based on qualifications, knowledge of issues in the EAS region, as well as his/her ability to work with the countries in the region.

Salary Schemes for PRF Staff 12.9 The PRF salary package of International Professional and higher categories

(including the PRF Executive Director post) was adopted by the 12th EC Meeting in April 2013. The draft salary scheme for the PRF general staff has been

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developed and will undergo further review with a target completion by October 2013.

Conclusions: The Intergovernmental Session concluded that: 12.10 The nominees for the Audit Committee are found to be qualified and have met

the requirements of the Terms of Reference. 12.11 Consultation with Country Partners in the identification and selection of members

for the PEMSEA Expert Advisory Group will help ensure that best experts are identified for specific requirements of PEMSEA. However, a system for consultation should be developed to avoid delays in PRF operations.

12.12 In accordance with the Rules on the Selection and Appointment of the Executive

Director, it is important for the Partnership Council Officers, as the Selection Committee, to complete the process of interviews and assessment. However, the risk of not finding the most suitable candidate from the shortlisted candidates remains.

Decisions: The Intergovernmental Session decided: 12.13 The Headquarters Agreement with the Philippines be pursued, with the objective

of completing the ratification process in the first quarter of 2014; 12.14 To approve the nominees for the Audit Committee; 12.15 To adhere to the following process in the identification of members and

establishment of the PEMSEA Expert Advisory Group:

• Develop a roster of experts and map out their areas of expertise; • Consult and secure the concurrence of the identified expert; • Consult the countries on the proposed member/s of the roster of experts; and • Finalize the roster of experts.

12.16 To proceed with the following steps in line with the selection and recruitment of

the PRF Executive Director:

• The Selection Panel to conduct the interviews of shortlisted applicants; • The Country Partners will be informed of the result of the evaluation of the

shortlisted applicants; • If none of the shortlisted applicants are found suitable for the position, the

Selection Panel will proceed with a more conscientious and deliberate scouting for potential nominees for the PRF Executive Director. Recommendations from the Selection Panel for potential PRF Executive Director will be put forward during the Executive Committee Meeting in

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October 2013 and will be consulted with the members of the Partnership Council;

• Nominations from the Country Partners for potential candidates for PRF Executive Director are welcome.

• Identified individuals will be evaluated by the Selection Committee; • In the meantime and until the PRF Executive Director is recruited, Mr. Adrian

Ross will continue to serve as the PRF Acting Executive Director. PEMSEA Financial Sustainability Plan The PRF Secretariat reviewed the status and progress of the implementation of the PEMSEA Financial Sustainability Plan including the following: Regional Ownership of PEMSEA: Voluntary Support from Partner Sustains Operations of the PRF Core Group 12.17 The implementation of the PRF Re-engineering Plan entails the establishment of

a PRF Core Group that will be fully supported by countries through voluntary contributions. The minimum cost to sustain the operation of the PRF Core Group is estimated at USD 708,000 per year to an optimum of USD 1 million per year. The current level of funding for the operation of the PRF Secretariat through voluntary contributions from PR China, Japan, RO Korea and Timor-Leste indicates an estimated funding shortfall of USD 245,307 (minimum, based on six-year average) to USD 537,307 (maximum, based on six-year average) to support the operation of the PRF Core Group.

12.18 The confirmation of PEMSEA’s regional ownership is an essential aspect in the

submission of the GEF Project Document for the next phase of PEMSEA, and confirmation of voluntary support for the PRF Core Group is required prior to the submission of the Project Document.

12.19 The Country Partners recognize the need to support the PRF Core Group and

signify their commitments to extend various forms of support to sustain the operations of the PRF Core Group.

12.20 The representative of PR China confirmed its commitment to continue its support

to PEMSEA. PR China also informed the Meeting that a discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China will be conducted to explore the possibility of tapping the China-ASEAN Coordination Fund to support PEMSEA. PR China urged the PRF to develop a formal document that will aid in negotiating with their Government for PEMSEA support.

12.21 The representative of Cambodia expressed that due to the forthcoming election

in the country on 28 July 2013, the country’s commitment to PEMSEA has yet to be determined. Cambodia, however, assured the Meeting that it will discuss the matter to the new government and will provide updates after the elections.

12.22 The representative of Indonesia informed the Meeting that discussions with the

different ministries in the country are being undertaken with regard to the country’s commitment to PEMSEA operations.

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12.23 The representative of Japan expressed its intention to make best effort to continue its current level of financial support to PEMSEA.

12.24 The representative of Lao PDR indicated that while they could not provide direct

voluntary contribution to PEMSEA, the country is committed to continue developing and implementing projects with the PRF, and, if necessary, support a national or international consultant or staff who can help in the implementation of PEMSEA activities. Lao PDR also reiterated their commitment to endorse the GEF project for PEMSEA’s next phase.

12.25 The representative of the Philippines expressed the country’s continuing

commitment to support PEMSEA operations through specific Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), including the provision of logistical support to PEMSEA operations (e.g., security, utilities and maintenance), activity-based MOAs with provision of financial support to PEMSEA and other strategic partnerships to include the secondment of government personnel to be trained. In support of PEMSEA’s sustainability, the Philippines, through the DENR, is committed to pursue the completion and ratification of the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and PEMSEA.

12.26 The representative of RO Korea expressed his government’s commitment to

continue with its current level of financial support to PEMSEA. 12.27 The representative of Singapore signified the country’s commitment to contribute

both in-kind and in-cash to support PEMSEA’s sustainability and indicated that information gained from the Meeting will be helpful in its internal process of determining the contribution to PEMSEA.

12.28 Timor-Leste relayed, through correspondence, their continuing support to

PEMSEA with their annual contribution amounting to USD 100,000. 12.29 The representative of Vietnam indicated that their proposed contribution to

PEMSEA operations has already been submitted to the Government for review and approval.

12.30 It was underscored that sustaining the PRF Core Group operations is crucial to

demonstrate the capacity of the Secretariat to operate without depending on the GEF funds, which is one of the key criteria to be recognized as a UNDP implementing partner.

12.31 As part of the preparations for the submission of the Project Document for

PEMSEA’s next phase, two levels of support are needed: (a) commitment from participating countries to support the PRF Core Group operations; and (b) co-financing support from participating countries for the next PEMSEA project.

12.32 It was clarified by UNDP that the letter of co-financing commitment for the Project

Document can be signed by the implementing agency in the country and not necessarily by the GEF Operational Focal Point.

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PEMSEA’s Recognition as UNDP Implementing Partner 12.33 The Intergovernmental Session was informed by the UNDP Manila

representative that PEMSEA’s application as Implementing Partner of UNDP has been received and UNDP Manila is awaiting feedback on the results of the review process from UNDP New York.

12.34 The approval of the recognition of PRF as UNDP’s Implementing Partner will

enable PEMSEA to be Executing Agency for the next phase of GEF support. This will also serve as a test case for PEMSEA and will provide PEMSEA more opportunities to implement other projects.

Guidelines/Principles on Provision of PEMSEA Services Outside of the East Asian Seas Region (PC/13/DOC/14c) 12.35 The draft GEF-6 Programming Direction highlights the utility of ICM as a tool for

improved management of coastal and ocean resources and indicated GEF’s plan to invest in application of ICM principles in coastal habitat protection and conservation and mangrove restoration. Subsequent interactions with the GEF Secretariat, together with UNDP, identified the potential for ICM development activities and provision of these value-added services by PEMSEA to other areas outside of the EAS region. Several requests coming from outside the region have also been received by the PRF.

12.36 With these developments, there is a high indication that in the near future,

PEMSEA may be requested to assist other regions in implementing ICM programs.

12.37 While PEMSEA’s key mandate and priority is to implement the SDS-SEA by

providing both secretariat and technical support to EAS countries, it is important for the PRF to have some guiding principles on how to respond to requests from outside the region (“outreach services”) in the future.

Concept Paper on PEMSEA Country Centers (PC/13/DOC/14d) 12.38 In line with the target to scale up and sustain SDS-SEA implementation and

PEMSEA operations, innovative approaches or mechanisms to institutionalize technical and operational support within and among countries are needed. The establishment of PEMSEA Country Centers could provide significant support to facilitate achievement of this objective.

12.39 The PEMSEA Country Centers could also help strengthen the current National

Focal Point system in the countries. The process, however, for developing, organizing and operationalizing a PEMSEA Country Center could vary from country to country.

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Conclusions: The Intergovernmental Session concluded that: 12.40 Sustaining the operations of the PRF Core Group with the support from

participating countries is a manifestation of the increasing ownership of PEMSEA.

12.41 Delays in the submission of co-financing commitments for the Project Document

for PEMSEA’s next phase will tremendously impact the approval of the Project and release of project fund in time for the startup in January 2014.

12.42 A strengthened regional ownership of PEMSEA is crucial in securing the

recognition of PEMSEA as UNDP Implementing Partner. 12.43 The opportunities and needs for ICM from outside the EAS region could open

new forms and sources of funding for PEMSEA’s sustainability in the future; however, there is a need to rationalize the system and assess PEMSEA’s capacity to address requests so as not to impinge on PEMSEA’s key priorities in the EAS region.

12.44 The need for an Advisory Group and the possibility of maximizing the availability

of PEMSEA’s Country Partners to respond to these requests should be further studied.

12.45 Standardizing the mechanism for PEMSEA Country Centers may require more

time in view of the different systems in each country. Decisions: The Intergovernmental Session: 12.46 Decided that Country Partners conduct further in-country discussion and confirm

their voluntary support to the PRF Core Group in time for the completion and submission of the Project Document for GEF in August;

12.47 Urged UNDP Manila to provide assistance to facilitate the approval of PEMSEA’s

Implementing Partner status; 12.48 Approved, in principle, the guidelines/principles for PEMSEA’s outreach program/

provision of services outside the EAS region with a view of developing a detailed mechanism that will rationalize the capacity of the PRF to provide outreach services and mobilize regional expertise and Non-Country Partners; and

12.49 Adopted the concept of PEMSEA Country Center, or other suitable mechanism

that will strengthen the implementation of PEMSEA-related projects in the countries.

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13.0 FIFTH MINISTERIAL FORUM (PC/13/DOC/15) 13.1 Atty. Stella Regina Bernad, PRF Legal Consultant, introduced the paper on the

proposed program for the Fifth Ministerial Forum. As a milestone year, the Ministerial Forum 2015 will assess the achievement of the 2015 targets set in the Haikou Partnership Agreement in 2006 and is expected to adopt the updates to the SDS-SEA, new strategic targets and new Five-Year SDS-SEA Implementation Plan.

13.2 The Ministerial Forum 2015 could also focus on the understanding and

operationalization of the blue economy approach in the EAS region, the role of national and local governments and the identification of achievements and remaining gaps.

Conclusions: 13.3 It is important to engage the Ministers early in the process to gather their inputs

in the documents to be developed for the forum and secure their participation in the forum.

13.4 A Blue Forum or round table discussion by Ministers with local government

leaders, corporate/business sector and financial institutions may be beneficial in mobilizing targeted investments and in building a blue economy for the region.

Decisions: 13.5 The Intergovernmental Session decided that the PRF coordinate with countries

and engage the Ministers as early as possible in the preparations for the Ministerial Forum 2015.

14.0 ANNUAL WORK PLAN AND BUDGET (PC/13/DOC/16) 14.1 The GEF/UNDP Project for the Implementation of the SDS-SEA will end in 31

December 2013. The total budget for 2013 is USD 1.5 million. Thus far, USD 1.1 million has been committed, while USD 400,000 will be utilized for the finalization of reviews on the implementation of the project.

14.2 The Annual Work Plan (AWP) is undergoing midyear review to assess the

completion of defined outputs and review of the remaining objectives/outputs for the year. After the completion of the midyear review, the AWP will be distributed to PEMSEA members for review and comments.

14.3 The budget for the current project has been stretched extensively due to the

extension of the current project from 2011 to 2013 without additional GEF funding. Thus, it is critical to ensure the completion of all requirements for the Project Document this year to avoid disruption in the PRF operations in 2014.

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Conclusions: 14.4 The cooperation of participating countries in the timely completion of all

requirements for PEMSEA’s next project phase is crucial to ensure smooth startup of the new phase in January 2014.

Decisions: The Intergovernmental Session decided that: 14.5 The PRF complete the midyear review of the AWP for the GEF/UNDP Project on

Implementation of the SDS-SEA and report back to the countries on the status of the work plan and budget; and

14.6 The PRF coordinate with countries on the completion of all requirements on the

Project Document for PEMSEA’s next phase. 15.0 DECISIONS OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL SESSION 15.1 The Intergovernmental Session adopted the recommendations of the Council

and Technical Sessions. 16.0 CLOSING CEREMONY 17.1 Dr. Chua Thia-Eng expressed his appreciation to all the participants for the

fruitful discussion. He underscored the friendly relationship and conduct that PEMSEA has established for the past 20 years and hoped for this tradition to continue. Dr. Chua thanked all the Country Partners for their strong support and contribution to PEMSEA’s success, as well as to the members of the PEMSEA Secretariat for their hard work. Dr. Chua encouraged the countries to send in more people to the PRF for training and capacity-building. As Dr. Chua exits as Council Chair, he expressed confidence that the new set of Partnership Council Chairs and Co-Chairs will bring PEMSEA to greater heights. Though the road ahead would still be very challenging, Dr. Chua believes that the PEMSEA Country and Non-Country Partners will continue to work together in building a more dynamic and a sustainable PEMSEA. In closing, Dr. Chua expressed his sincere gratitude to all the Country and Non-Country Partners for their support to the Executive Committee.

17.2 Mr. Hiroshi Terashima recalled that his first involvement in PEMSEA started 13

years ago, and in those years he dedicated six years to the Executive Committee as Chair of the Technical Session. He thanked all the Country and Non-Country Partners for their support, which helped him in delivering his job as Technical Session Chair. Mr. Terashima has witnessed the growth and evolution of PEMSEA over the years. He highlighted three key aspects that have made PEMSEA unique: (a) voluntary-based organization; (b) consensus building; and (c) involvement of Non-Country Partners. These characteristics have vitalized the SDS-SEA. He urged all Country and Non-Country Partners and the new Executive Committee to continue the PEMSEA mission. Mr. Terashima promised

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to continue his participation and support as a Non-Country Partner of PEMSEA through the OPRF of Japan.

17.3 On behalf of the EAS Partnership Council, Amb. Mary Seet-Cheng recognized

the contribution made by the outgoing Chairs. The dedication given by the outgoing Chairs to the cause of ICM has served as an inspiration. Amb. Seet-Cheng vowed to continue the legacy of the outgoing Chairs and expressed her keenness to work with the PEMSEA Secretariat. She called on all Country and Non-Country Partners to join her in ensuring the continuity of PEMSEA and the SDS-SEA.

17.4 On behalf of the Country Partner representatives, Mr. Long Rithirak — who has

been involved with PEMSEA since its inception — recalled how his involvement with PEMSEA started. Mr. Long expressed his sincere thanks to Dr. Chua and PEMSEA for the knowledge and experience imparted in him. Mr. Long also relayed the congratulatory message of Senior Minister Mok Mareth, PEMSEA’s National Focal Point in Cambodia since 1993, on PEMSEA’s 20th anniversary as well as to the outgoing Chairs for their contributions to the development of PEMSEA.

17.5 On behalf of the PRF, Mr. Stephen Adrian Ross, Acting Executive Director,

joined the Country and Non-Country Partners and Chairs in expressing gratitude to the Government of the Philippines, through the DENR, for the excellent hosting arrangements. Mr. Ross underscored that while the PRF consists of different characters/personalities, the guidance provided by the Partnership Council and Executive Committee has helped in molding the PRF into a strong team. Mr. Ross expressed his appreciation to all the Country Partner representatives and noted that PEMSEA has truly become a country-driven organization. Mr. Ross also thanked the representatives of UNDP for their participation. In closing, Mr. Ross expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chairs and reiterated that they will always be part of PEMSEA’s family.

17.6 Ms. Amelia Supetran of UNDP reiterated UNDP’s strong partnership with

PEMSEA. Through these years, UNDP has witnessed the evolution of PEMSEA and they commend the countries in shepherding the organization. She indicated that PEMSEA has become a model project for GEF investment in the region. Ms. Supetran expressed UNDP’s continued support to PEMSEA and its future plans and activities.

17.7 Dr. Chua Thia-Eng declared the Council Meeting closed at around 6:00 p.m., 11

July 2013.

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38

ANNEX 1

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

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Fifth EAS Partnership Council Meeting

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dr. Chua Thia-Eng Chair, EAS Partnership Council DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City Philippines Tel.: (632) 929-2992 Fax: (632) 926-9712 Email: thiaengchua@gmail.com Mr. Hiroshi Terashima Chair, Technical Session EAS Partnership Council Executive Director Ocean Policy and Research Foundation Toranomon 35 Mori Building 3-4-10 Toranomon, Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0001 Tel.: +81-3-5404-6828 Fax: +81-3-5404-6800 Email: h-terashima@sof.or.jp Amb. Mary Seet-Cheng Council Co-Chair, EAS Partnership Council Senior Specialist Adviser and Non-resident Ambassador of Singapore to Panama and Cuba, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore Tel.: 65 6379 8106 Fax: 65 6379 8128 Email: Mary_SEET-CHENG@mfa.gov.sg Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh Intergovernmental Session Co-Chair, EAS Partnership Council Undersecretary and Chief of Staff, Department of Environment and Natural Resources DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines Tel.: +63 2 925-2327 / 9268074

+63 2 929 6626/29 local 2055 Fax: +63 2 926 8065 Email: tehanna08@gmail.com

Prof. Dr. Chul-Hwan Koh Technical Session Co-Chair, EAS Partnership Council Professor Emeritus, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (Oceanography) College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University Seoul 151-742 Republic of Korea Tel.: 82-2-880-6750 Fax: 82-2-872-0311 Email: chulhwankoh@gmail.com; kohch@snu.ac.kr COUNTRY PARTNERS CAMBODIA H.E. Khong Samnuon Secretary of State for the Environment, Ministry of Environment No. 48 Samdech Preah Sihanouk Tonle Bassac Chamkarmon Phnom Penh Cambodia Mr. Long Rithirak Deputy Director General, Ministry of Environment #48, Samdech Preah Sihanouk Tonle Bassac, Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh Cambodia Tel.: +855 23 427894 Fax: +855 23 427844 / +855 23 215925 Email: moeimo@online.com.kh; longrithirak@yahoo.com

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PR CHINA Dr. Zhang Zhanhai Director-General, Department of International Cooperation State Oceanic Administration 1 Fuxingmenwai Avenue Beijing 100860 People’s Republic of China Tel.:+8610-6806-0086 Fax: +8610-6803-0799 Email: zhangzhanhai@pric.gov.cn Dr. Liu Wei Programme Officer, Ecology Center First Institute of Oceanography State Oceanic Administration of China 1 Fuxingmenwai Avenue Beijing, PR China Tel.: +86-10 68048080 Email: weiliu212@163.com INDONESIA Mr. Beny Bastiawan Head of Sub-division of Development Division for Restoration, Assistant Deputy for Coastal and Marine Degradation Control, Deputy Ministry for Environment Degradation Control and Climate Change Ministry of Environment Republic of Indonesia JAPAN Mr. Kunihiko Kitabayashi Director for International Ocean Affairs, Ocean Policy Division Policy Bureau Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8918 Japan Tel.: +813-5253-8266 Email: kitabayashi-k29@mlit.go.jp

Mr. Hiromichi Fujiwara Section Chief, Ocean Policy Division Policy Bureau Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism 2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8918 Japan Tel.: +813 5253 8266 Fax: +813 52531549 Email: fujiwara-h2a5@mlit.go.jp Mr. Makoto Harunari Managing Director, Japan Institution for Transport Policy Studies (ITPS) LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Ms. Bouanguen Oudomcith Deputy Director-General, Department of Water Resources Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Nahaidieo Road, Sisavath Village Chantabouly District Vientiane Lao People’s Democratic Republic Ms. Chindavanh Souriyaphack Technical Officer, Department of Water Resources Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Nahaidieo Road, Sisavath Village Chantabouly District Vientiane Lao People’s Democratic Republic

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PHILIPPINES Undersecretary Manuel D. Gerochi Planning and Policy Division, Department of Environment and Natural Resources DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City Philippines Tel.: +632-9262567; 9296626 loc. 2019 Email: useclands@yahoo.com Mr. Rommel R. Abesamis Assistant Secretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources DENR Compound, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City Philippines Tel.: +632-9296626 loc. 2055 Mr. Jacob Meimban Jr. Executive Director, Coastal and Marine Management Office, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB)-DENR Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, North Avenue, Quezon City Philippines Tel.: +632 9246031 Email: jakemeimban@yahoo.com RO KOREA Mr. Song-Hack Lim Director, Marine Environment Policy Division Marine Policy Office Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Government Complex Sejong 5-Dong, 94, Dasom2-Ro, Sejong City, 339-012 Republic of Korea Tel.: +82-44-200-5280 Fax: +82-44-200-5299 Email: limsongh@korea.kr

Mr. Seung-Do Lee Deputy Director, Marine Environment Policy Division Marine Policy Office Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Government Complex Sejong 5-Dong, 94, Dasom2-Ro, Sejong City, 339-012 Tel.: +82 44-200-5285 Fax: +82-44-200-5299 Email: sangsangplus@korea.kr SINGAPORE Mr. Kevin Khng Deputy Director, International Policy Division Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources 40 Scotts Road, #23-00 Environment Building Republic of Singapore 228231 Mr. Lim Wei Da Senior Executive (International Agreements), International Policy Division Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources 40 Scotts Road, #23-00 Environment Building Republic of Singapore 228231 THAILAND Mr. Sombat Poovachiranon Marine Biodiversity Specialist, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment The Government Complex 5/F Building B, Cheangwattana 7 Road Tung Song Hong, Lak Si Bangkok 10210 Thailand

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VIETNAM Mr. Vu Si Tuan Vice Administrator, Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands 10 Ton That Thuyet Hanoi Socialist Republic of Vietnam Tel.: +84 4 3773-8956 Fax: +84 4 3773-5093 Mr. Nguyen Van Thuong Department of International Cooperation and Science – Technology (DICST) Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment 10 Ton That Thuyet, Cau Giay Hanoi Socialist Republic of Vietnam NON-COUNTRY PARTNERS ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Atty. Roberto V. Oliva Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity 3/F, ERDB Bldg, Forestry Campus College, Los Baños 4031 Laguna, Philippines Email: acb.oed@aseanbiodiversity.org Ms. Clarissa C. Arida Director, Programme Development and Implementation ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity 3/F, ERDB Bldg, Forestry Campus College, Los Baños 4031 Laguna, Philippines Tel.: +63-49-536-3989 Fax: +63-49-536-2865 Email: ccarida@aseanbiodiversity.org

Dr. Sheila G. Vergara Director, Biodiversity Information Management ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity 3/F, ERDB Bldg, Forestry Campus College, Los Baños 4031 Laguna, Philippines Coastal Management Center (CMC) Dr. Gil Jacinto Executive Director, Coastal Management Center Email: gsjacinto@yahoo.com Conservation International (CI) Philippines Mr. Enrique Nuñez Country Executive Director, Conservation International Philippines 6 Maalalahanin St., Teachers’ Village West Diliman 1100, Quezon City Tel.: +63 2 9248235; 4338429 Email: enunez@conservation.org Ms. Davelyn Pastor-Rengel Project Coordinator, Support to the Implementation of the Tri-national Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion Comprehensive Action Plan (SSME PROJECT) Conservation International Philippines 6 Maalalahanin St., Teachers’ Village, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines International Ocean Institute (IOI) Dr. Cherdsak Virapat Executive Director, International Ocean Institute Headquarters P.O. Box 3, Gzira GZR 1000 Malta Tel.: +356 (-) 21 346 528/9 Fax: +356 (-) 21 346 502 Email: ioihq@ioihq.org.mt; cherdsak.virapat@ioihq.org.mt

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International Union for Conservation of Nature-Asia Regional Office (IUCN-ARO) Ms. Maeve Nightingale Coordinator, International Union for Conservation of Nature 63 Sukhumvit 39 Soi Prompong Sukhumvit Road, Klongtonnua Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Korea Maritime Institute (KMI) Dr. Jiyeon Choi Senior Researcher, Korea Maritime Institute Marine Research Division Korea Maritime Institute 15/F KBS Media Centre 1652 Sangam-dong Mapo-gu Seoul 121-270 Republic of Korea Tel.: +82 2 2105 2773 Fax: +82 2 2105 2779 Email: jychoi@kmi.re.kr / jyc1014@gmail.com Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) Mr. Kwak In-Sub President, Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation Haegong Building 71 Samseong-Dong Gangnam-gu Seoul 135-870 RO Korea Ms. Gusung Lee Manager, International Cooperation Team Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation Tel.: +82-2-3498-8586 Mobile: +82-10-9428-4956 Email: gslee@koem.or.kr

Mr. Yunil Kim International Cooperation Team Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM) Haegong Building 71 Samseong-Dong Gangnam-gu Seoul 135-870 RO Korea Tel.: +82-2 34988586 Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) Dr. Alexander Tkalin Coordinator, Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) of UNEP NOWPAP RCU, 152-1 Haean-ro, Gijang-up, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705 Republic of Korea Tel.: +82-51-720-3001 Fax: +82-51-720-3009 Email: alexander.tkalin@nowpap.org Ocean Policy Research Foundation (OPRF) Mr. Shigeru Yoneyama Deputy Director, Ocean Affairs Department Ocean Policy Research Foundation Toranomon 35 Mori Building 3-4-10 Toranomon, Minato-ku Tokyo 105-0001 Japan Tel.: 03 -5404-6828 Fax: 03-5404-6800

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Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL) Mr. Declan O’Driscoll Regional Director, Oil Spill Response Limited Loyang Offshore Supply Base 25 Loyang Crescent Mailbox No. 5105 Block 503 TOPS Avenue 3 Singapore 508988 Tel.: +65 62561566 Fax: +65 6266 2312 Email: declanodriscoll@oilspillresponse.com PNLG Dr. Fang Qinhua Deputy Secretary-General of PNLG Secretariat Coastal and Ocean Management Institute, Xiamen University Xiamen, PR China Email: qhfang@xmu.edu.cn UNEP-GPA Mr. Anjan Datta Programme Officer, GPA Coordination Unit United Nations Environment Programme P.O. Box 30552 00100 Nairobi Kenya Tel.: +254 20 7625721 Email: Anjan.Datta@unep.org SPONSORING AGENCIES UNDP Bangkok Dr. Jose Erezo Padilla Regional Technical Advisor, Land Degradation and International Waters UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok GPO Box 618, Bangkok 10501 Thailand Email: Jose.Padilla@undp.org

UNDP Manila Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka Country Director, UNDP Manila 30/F Yuchengco Tower RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave. cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue Makati City Email: toshihiro.tanaka@undp.org

Ms. Amelia Supetran Portfolio Manager for Environment UNDP Manila 30/F Yuchengco Tower RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave. cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue Makati City Email: amelia.supetran@undp.org Mr. Michael Jaldon Environment Unit UNDP Manila 30/F Yuchengco Tower RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave. cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue Makati City Email: Michael.jaldon@undp.org The World Bank Mr. Josefo B. Tuyor Senior Operations Officer, Philippines Sustainable Development Unit East Asia and the Pacific Region The World Bank 26/F Floor, One Global Place 5th Avenue corner 25th Street Bonifacio Global City Taguig City Tel.: +632) 4652665 Fax: +632 4652505 Email: jtuyor@worldbank.org

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COLLABORATORS /OBSERVERS IPIECA Mr. Joselito Guevarra Project Manager, Global Initiative Southeast Asia (GI SEA) IPIECA/IMO University of Queensland Ms. Melanie King Deputy Director, Global Change Institute The University of Queensland Dr. Shay O’Farrell Global Change Institute The University of Queensland Incoming Council Co-Chair Atty. Antonio G.M. La Viña Dean, Ateneo School of Government Ateneo de Manila University Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights 1108 Quezon City Tel.: + 63 2 426 6001 SECRETARIAT Mr. Stephen Adrian Ross Acting Executive Director, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: saross@pemsea.org Mr. Guo Yinfeng Programme Specialist, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: gyinfeng@pemsea.org

Ms. Nancy Bermas Sr. Country Programme Manager, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: nbermas@pemsea.org Ms. Cristine Ingrid Narcise Country Programme Manager, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: cinarcise@pemsea.org Ms. Belyn Rafael Country Programme Manager, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: brafael@pemsea.org Mr. Renato Cardinal Programme Manager for Partnership Applications PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: rcardinal@pemsea.org Ms. Stella Regina Bernad Legal Consultant, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: srbernad@pemsea.org Ms. Kathrine Rose Gallardo Secretariat Coordinator, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: krgallardo@pemsea.org Ms. Caroline Velasquez Executive Assistant, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: cvelasquez@pemsea.org Ms. Elsie Merina Programme Support, PEMSEA Resource Facility Email: emerina@pemsea.org

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46

ANNEX 2

FULL TEXT OF SPEECHES OPENING CEREMONY

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Opening Remarks of Dr. Chua Thia-Eng Chair, EAS Partnership Council

Honorary Members and observers of the Partnership Council, welcome to this Fifth Meeting. I am glad to meet old and new friends and look forward to your active participation for another fruitful meeting of the Council. On your behalf, I wish to thank the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines for hosting our annual meeting in Manila and the PEMSEA Resource Facility for the excellent meeting preparations and secretariat support to the Council. I wish to make a special recognition to the participation of our colleagues from the UNDP Manila. This is the last time I will speak in the capacity of Council Chair. I had been fortunate to be able to work together with you to serve the region — first as your Regional Programme Director since 1993 until my retirement in 2007, and then as your Council Chair until today. After this meeting, it is time for me, together with my two other colleagues, Mr. Hiroshi Terashima (Technical Session Chair) and Dr. Li Haiqing (Intergovernmental Session Chair), to bid goodbye. Nobody would have expected that PEMSEA, which started as a GEF/UNDP Project in 1993, had evolved over a period of 20 years into a formal international organization. This would not be possible without the collective efforts of a large number of people and institutions — from the Country and Non-Country Partners of the region and from the UN and international organizations — as well as the untiring efforts of the leaders and staff of PEMSEA. The financial support from [the] GEF over the last 20 years — which is rather unprecedented — and the support of [the] UNDP, IMO and UNOPS had collectively instilled the important elements of seriousness, relevance, confidence, responsibilities and commitments among the participating countries and partners. These elements have ensured the successful transformation of PEMSEA.

The path leading to the transformation had been a long and difficult one. We had to overcome various political, financial and institutional challenges. Although PEMSEA has finally gained its international legal personality, there are still many difficult challenges yet to overcome to be a respected, competent professional organization in coastal and ocean governance.

As one who had been heavily involved in the long process of PEMSEA’s development, I am fully aware of the bumpy road ahead of us. I would like to offer the following suggestions as my parting advice to this new organization: 1. Develop PEMSEA as a competent professional international organization. The

new PEMSEA should strengthen its professional competence into an internationally recognized professional body in coastal and ocean governance by:

• consolidating its working experience and achievements at the local, national and

regional level; • building quality coastal and ocean management programs taking advantage of its

acquired capacity in integrated management; • ensuring a strong institutional mechanism by fully implementing the re-

engineering plans, especially in terms of strengthening the governing mechanism

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including defining the roles and responsibilities of the Council, the Executive Committee and the PEMSEA Resource Facility; and

• strengthening financial mechanism in compliance with international fiduciary standards with the appropriate check and balance. However, this does not mean PEMSEA Resource Facility should adopt a bureaucratic, top-down management approach but rather adopt a participatory approach whereby the staffs are encouraged to share their views and responsibilities.

2. Ensure a sustained leadership. The future of PEMSEA very much depends on the

capability of a sustained leadership. A strong and capable leadership at both the PRF and the Council level is critical not only to the future development but also to the survival of the organization. Therefore, both the Council and the PRF must assume a shared responsibility in the development of the organization.

• The role of the Council should not be just limited to annual meeting but more

importantly should contribute to the well-being of the organization in achieving its status as a competent professional body serving the region. Council members must be more serious in helping the development of the organization that benefits the region as a whole. Through collective efforts, this organization can make significant contributions to sustainable coastal and ocean governance in a region challenged with political, socioeconomic and cultural complexities and complications. In this context, we need the collective wisdom of everyone to think in the interest of the region as a whole.

• The role of PRF is even more critical as staff of PRF are recruited to provide both

technical and secretariat services. As such, PRF leadership should not only be capable of understanding the technical needs but also in working with the members. PRF and the Council are indispensable part of a whole.

3. Develop and strengthen sustainable financing mechanism. PEMSEA’s operational modality must change from fully (sic) reliance on GEF funding support to a self-sustaining operational mechanism that provide[s] technical and secretariat services in coastal and ocean governance. To this extent, PEMSEA should take advantage of the flexibility of an independent, nonprofit international organization to develop its financing mechanism and to ensure its sustainability.

• PRF should further strengthen the Trust Fund and Partnership Fund

mechanisms. I am sure not many members understand the operation of such mechanisms and not many had been able to utilize such mechanism. Perhaps it is about time for PEMSEA to organize a donor meeting to explain PEMSEA’s approach and working mechanism. [The] GEF and UNDP, I am sure, will be willing to help in this regards (sic).

• PEMSEA should continue to sustain, if not improve, its financial accountability

with the appropriate internal and external auditing system. This is particularly important from the past experience the organization had suffered from deliberate attempts to discredit PEMSEA’s financial accountability and legal personality. PEMSEA should take pride of the positive outcomes of the UNDP investigation and IMO/UNOPS clarification on PEMSEA’s financial accountability. I thank [the] UNDP for taking the accusations very seriously and now with a positive outcome,

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PEMSEA should continue to stand firm to continue withholding its professional integrity.

• Financial support from members has been voluntary based on cost-sharing

agreements instead of mandatory contribution as in other regional sea mechanisms. Our experience confirmed such approach promote[s] willingness, volunteerism and shared responsibility on the part of member partners. Such financial mechanism is unique and has proven to be effective. It is not [only] the developed nations, such as Japan [and] RO Korea, that contributed to PEMSEA. Other developing nations such as PR China, the Philippines and Timor-Leste had been contributing substantially. I still maintain that if PEMSEA has proven its usefulness to the region and remain relevant to the Country and Non-Country Partners, the number of countries contributing to PEMSEA will definitely increase.

4. Consolidate partnerships and expand memberships. PEMSEA should further consolidate its partnership approach as this operating mechanism has been proven to be effective at all levels of governance in the region.

• PEMSEA should build on its past experience to distill lessons which contribute to

the effectiveness of stakeholders’ partnerships and (sic) well as partnerships across borders for addressing transboundary environmental and resource exploitation concerns.

• It is time now for PEMSEA to expand its membership to those countries who are

yet to be formal members. PEMSEA should make every effort to encourage and facilitate Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam to return to this big family. Thailand has been attending PEMSEA Council Meeting[s] as an observer, and I hope effort[s] will be made very soon so that Thailand will be a full-fledged member in due course.

Last but not the least, it is time that PEMSEA makes its stand very clearly with respect to its working relationship with UNEP/COBSEA. It is a problem that has been hidden under the carpet for the last 20 years for the sake of regional unity, partnerships and cooperation. But it is time to acknowledge that the problem exists. It is a problem of UN interagency turf conflicts and PEMSEA was and still is the victim. The problem began when [the] UNDP and GEF designated [the] IMO as the executing agency of the GEF project on marine pollution prevention and management (i.e., PEMSEA’s first phase) instead of UNEP/COBSEA. This is the root cause. The inability of UNEP/COBSEA to secure the project implementation in 1992 during the project formulation phase and the failure of [the] UNDP/IMO to change the operating mechanism and their inability to provide funding to COBSEA for implementing pollution projects in 1994 had raised tremendous unhappiness among the three UN agencies.

During the last two decades, the strained relationship between PEMSEA and COBSEA continued until today. Efforts to discredit PEMSEA started as early as 1994 when the project was accused of finagling financial matters by some quarters. Although [the] IMO had cleared the project office of any inappropriate conduct, efforts to discredit PEMSEA continued until the most recent one concerning our financial accountability and legal personality. While [the] UNDP, IMO and UNOPS had finally cleared all the allegations

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during the last two decades of operation, we can trace the linkages and connections to the early phase since 1993.

Now that we have been cleared of the allegations, it is time for PEMSEA to put its stand clearly.

1. The establishment of PEMSEA is the wish of most countries in the region and stakeholder partners and not to substitute COBSEA or any other regional organizations.

2. PEMSEA’s area of responsibility covers the East Asian Seas including the sea areas

of ASEAN nations.

3. PEMSEA[’s] major role is to implement a wider scope of coastal and ocean governance [and] the SDS-SEA and not just environment issues alone as in the case of COBSEA. However, there are bound to have overlaps but since its inception, no activities of PEMSEA duplicated that of COBSEA or any other regional organizations.

4. PEMSEA’s membership composition and operating mechanism and approach is not

similar to that of COBSEA although some countries are members of both.

5. PEMSEA has been extending its willingness to cooperate with COBSEA and continue to do so as it has been cooperating extremely well with other UNEP’s entities, such as GPA and NOWPAP.

Finally, I wish to apologize to you for this rather lengthy speech as I thought I would have failed my duty without providing the historical perspective and my suggestions as the outgoing chair and as one who had been associated with PEMSEA during the last 20 years. My only wish is to see a sustained, stronger and competent PEMSEA which will speak for itself.

Thank you.

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Opening Remarks of Mr. Stephen Adrian Ross Acting Executive Director, PEMSEA Resource Facility

Good morning to the Fifth EAS Partnership Council Meeting, members of the Executive Committee, Country Partners, Non-Country Partners, observers and guests.

It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you to this meeting and to the program and activities that have been planned over the next four days, including the celebration of PEMSEA’s 20th Anniversary.

First and foremost, allow me to express our sincere appreciation to our co-host for this meeting, and for our 20th Anniversary Celebration, the Government of the Philippines, and in particular, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The DENR has been most forthright and generous as our meeting co-host, and we thank you for that. The decision some 20 years ago to place the project office of that first regional GEF/UNDP pilot project on marine pollution prevention and management here in the Philippines, hosted by [the] DENR, has proven to be a most resilient decision, as our Country Partner continues to show its support for PEMSEA and our regional objectives through concrete actions and commitments, including an Headquarters Agreement [sic].

Speaking of anniversaries, we are reminded that one year ago today, the EAS Congress 2012 was being launched in Changwon City, RO Korea, hosted by the Government of Korea through the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Marine Affairs and the City of Changwon. And what a marvelous event it was.

The past one year has been a remarkable year for the PRF. It has been a year involving:

• consolidation of experiences and lessons learned from the ongoing GEF/UNDP

project, self-evaluation and improvement, as we examined our financial, accounting, administrative and management systems within the PRF and strived for accreditation to international standards;

• change, as we began implementing the three transformation plans that were adopted by [the] Council during its last session in 2011, moving PEMSEA towards a self-sustaining international organization for coastal and ocean governance in the seas of East Asia; and

• planning and development as we worked with the Executive Committee, our partners, sponsors and other collaborators to scale up implementation of the SDS-SEA and achieve common targets for sustaining coastal ecosystems services and building a blue economy in the East Asian [Seas] region.

This meeting will provide an opportunity to review the progress and achievements, as well as the challenges and constraints, as we move into the next phase of PEMSEA program implementation, namely scaling up the implementation of the SDS-SEA. But more importantly, we look forward to your active participation, feedback, comments and recommendations over the next few days, on the way forward as partners in the scaling-up process and its desired endpoints.

Thank you once again and good morning.

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ANNEX 3

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

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LIST OF DOCUMENTS

ITEM NO.

AGENDA ITEM DOCUMENT DOCUMENT NUMBER

Council Session List of Documents PC/13/DOC/01 1.0 Organizational Matters List of Participants PC/13/DOC/02 Provisional Agenda PC/13/DOC/03 2.0 Adoption of Meeting

Agenda Annotated Agenda PC/13/DOC/04 3.0 Implementation Status of

Major Recommendations and Decisions of the Special EAS Partnership Council and12th Expanded Executive Committee Meetings

PC/13/DOC/05

3.1

Summary of Recommendations and Decisions of the Special EAS Partnership Council and 11th and 12th Executive Committee Meetings and Status of Actions Taken Designation of PEMSEA

Regional Center of Excellence on Coral Reef Research and Marine Protected Areas

PC/13/DOC/05a

4.0 Report of the Council Chair

Report of the Council Chair PC/13/DOC/06

5.0 Report of the Acting Executive Director

PEMSEA Accomplishment Report 2011–2013

PC/13/DOC/07

6.0 Election of Partnership Council Officers and Co-Chairs

Election of Partnership Council Officers and Co- Chairs

PC/13/DOC/08

7.0 Draft Guidelines for PEMSEA Senior Advisers for Coastal and Ocean Governance

Draft Guidelines for PEMSEA Senior Advisers for Coastal and Ocean Governance

PC/13/DOC/09

Technical Session 8.0 Progress toward

PEMSEA’s 2015 Targets

Progress toward PEMSEA’s 2015 Targets

PC/13/DOC/10

9.0 Updating the SDS-SEA, Strategic Targets and SDS-SEA Implementation (2016– 2020)

Updating the SDS-SEA, Strategic Targets and SDS- SEA Implementation (2016– 2020)

PC/13/DOC/11

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GEF/UNDP Project on Scaling Up the Implementation of the SDS- SEA (2014–2019) and Non- Country Partners’ Initiatives/Programmes relevant to the SDS-SEA Implementation

PC/13/DOC/12

Implementation of YSLME Strategic Action Plan

Implementation of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Strategic Action Plan

ACB/PEMSEA Project on Applying Integrated Coastal Management to Strengthen the Effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas in Key Biodiversity Areas of South East Asia and East Asia

GEF/World Bank Program on Scaling Up Partnership Investments for Sustainable Development of Large Marine Ecosystems of East Asia and Their Coasts (2013–2016)

NORAD-supported project for East Asia

Global Initiative SEA Program

10.0 Collaborative Planning in Line with the Implementation of the Five-Year Regional SDS-SEA Implementation Plan

UNDP Country Development Programs for Asia and Pacific

OPRF’s Initiatives to Promote ICM in Japan

IUCN Initiatives related to the SDS-SEA Five-Year Implementation Plan

IOI Main Areas of Activities

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Support to the three SSME Countries for the Implementation of the BMU- GIZ SSME Project to Develop a Network of Protected Areas to Safeguard Sea Turtles and their Habitats and Design and Implement an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Regime for Selected Marine-Managed Areas (MMAs) in the SSME

Renewed Basic Plan on Ocean Policy in Japan

11.0 EAS Congress 2015 Proposed Focus of the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2015

PC/13/DOC/13

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ANNEX 4

FIFTH EAS PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

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FIFTH EAS PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

9 July 2013 (Tuesday) A. Council Session 09:00 – 09:30 1.0 Opening Ceremony 09:30 – 09:35 2.0 Adoption of Meeting Agenda 09:35 – 10:00 3.0 Summary of Recommendations and Decisions of the

Special EAS Partnership Council (July 2012), 11th Executive Committee Meeting (October 2012) and 12th Expanded Executive Committee Meeting (April 2013) and Status of Actions Taken 3.1 Recognition of UP-MSI as PEMSEA Regional

Center of Excellence 10:00 – 10:30 Group Photo and Coffee Break 10:30 – 11:00 4.0 Report of the Council Chair 11:00 – 11:30 5.0 Report of the Acting Executive Director 11:30 – 12:30 6.0 Election of Partnership Council Officers and Co-Chairs 12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break 14:00 – 15:00 7.0 Draft Guidelines for PEMSEA Senior Advisers on

Coastal and Ocean Governance B. Technical Session 15:00 – 16:00 8.0 Progress toward PEMSEA’s 2015 Targets 16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break 16:30 – 17:30 9.0 Updating the SDS-SEA, Strategic Targets and SDS-SEA Implementation Plan (2016–2020) 10 July 2013 (Wednesday) 09:00 – 10:30 10.0 Collaborative Planning in Line with the Implementation

of the Five-Year Regional SDS-SEA Implementation Plan

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break 11:00 – 12:30 Continuation of Agenda Item 10.0

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12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break 14:00 – 15:30 Continuation of Agenda Item 10.0 15: 30 – 16:00 Coffee Break 16:00 – 17:00 11.0 EAS Congress 2015 19:30 – 21:30 20th Anniversary Celebration of PEMSEA 11 July 2013 (Thursday) C. Intergovernmental Session 09:00 – 10:30 12.0 PEMSEA’s Transformation 10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break 11:00 – 12:30 Continuation of Agenda Item 12.0 12:30 – 14:00 Lunch Break 14:00 – 15:00 13.0 Fifth Ministerial Forum 15:00 – 16:00 14.0 Annual Work Plan and Budget 2013–2014 16:00 – 16:30 Coffee Break 16:30 – 17:00 Other Business 17:00 – 17:30 Decisions of the Intergovernmental Session 17:30 – 17:45 Closing Ceremony 12 July 2013 (Friday) Special Intergovernmental Session: UNDP-led Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) Meeting 09:00 – 10:30 PAC Meeting 10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break 11:00 – 12:30 Continuation of PAC Meeting 12:30 – 14:00 Closing of the Meeting and Lunch Break

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